When Truth Stumbles in the Public Square--Feb. 8, 2017

Holy God, when justice is turned back

and righteousness stands at a distance,

when truth stumbles in the public square

and uprightness cannot enter,

then let your steadfast love be

upon us, even as we hope in you.

Remind us--though we are faithless,

Christ remains faithful; let us cleave to him.

O Jesus, you took little children up in your arms;

you laid your hands on them, and you blessed them.

We lack their innocence, but we need your blessing, too .

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33

Isa. 59:1-21

2 Tim. 1:15-2:13

Mark 10:1-16

Selected Verses

Ps. 33:27

Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
          even as we hope in you.

Isa. 59:14

Justice is turned back,
          and righteousness stands at a distance;
for truth stumbles in the public square,
          and uprightness cannot enter. 

2 Tim. 2:13

 …if we are faithless, [Christ Jesus] remains faithful--
     for he cannot deny himself.

Mark 10:16

And [Jesus] took [the little children] up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.