Refugees--Endless Cruelty--Oct. 29, 2016

Merciful God, so many refugees,

and so many more who cannot escape

the endless cruelty that prevents them from

becoming refugees--surround all with your love;

even as the mountains surround Jerusalem,

surround them with protecting love.

God of wisdom and knowledge,

so many people have been deceived;

so many of us worship wealth and honor--

help us to realize, there is no need to be afraid;

it is your good pleasure to give the kingdom,

but if our heart is with our riches, then

it will not be with your kingdom.

If it is thus we pray, should we not

invest our wealth to help

the refugees?

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90

Nahum 3:8-19

Rev. 13:11-18

Luke 12:32-48

           

Selected Verses

Ps. 125:2

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

Nahum 3:19c

For who has ever escaped
     your endless cruelty?

Rev. 13:14

…and by the signs that [the second beast] is allowed to perform on behalf of the beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived…

Luke 12:32-33

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give alms.  Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.