Time after Time, Love and Forgiveness--May 5, 2015

God, you watch over the strangers;

you uphold the orphans and widows;

but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.

When we do nothing to obey your voice

or follow your law, when we ignore

your commandments and regard

enemies with fear and hatred,

then disasters come upon us.

Too often we are choked by the

cares and riches and pleasures of life;

remind us to feed our enemies when they

are hungry, to give them water when they thirst,

and above all to treat them with forgiveness and love--

for, time after time, loving forgiveness you have shown to us.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116

Jer. 32:16-25

Rom. 12:1-21

Luke 8:1-15

Selected Verses

Ps. 146:9

The LORD watches over the strangers;
          he upholds the orphan and the widow,
          but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

Jer. 32:23

…and [your people Israel] entered and took possession of [this land].  But they did not obey your voice or follow your law; of all you commanded them to do, they did nothing. Therefore you have made all these disasters come upon them. 

Rom. 12:20

No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 

Luke 8:14

"…As for [the seeds that] fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.  …"  [Jesus to his disciples]