As the Mountains Surround Jerusalem--Nov. 19, 2014

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so you surround your people, O God.

How is it then, that we do not honor you,

nor offer you the respect due your name?

How can it be that, when you have favored us,

we are unmoved, too busy to give you thanks?

God, we submit ourselves to you.  Draw near to us,

and help us resist evil; we want to draw near to you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 65; 147:1-11; 125; 91

Mal. 1:1, 6-14

James 3:13-4:12

Luke 17:11-19

Selected Verses

Ps. 125:2

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
          so the LORD surrounds his people,
          from this time on and forevermore. 

Mal. 1:6

A son honors his father, and servants their master.  If then I am a father, where is the honor due me?  And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name.  You say, "How have we despised your name?" 

James 4:7-8a

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Luke 17:17-18

Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean?  But the other nine, where are they?  Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"