God of Peace, Not of Disorder--March 20, 2018

God of peace, and not of disorder,

surely you know about all the suffering

in the world--the chaos of war, the disorder

of hunger and poverty.  We have sought peace,

have pursued it, but there is no peace--only evil.

Can you not deliver us from violence and killing?

Or is the fault our own?  Restore our saltiness,

and help us be at peace with one another

as we pray and work for peace

around the world.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 34; 146; 25; 91

Exod. 5:1-6:1

1 Cor. 14:20-33a, 39-40

Mark 9:42-50

Selected Verses

Ps. 34:14

Depart from evil, and do good;
          seek peace, and pursue it.

Exod. 5:22-23

Then Moses turned again to the LORD and said, "O LORD, why have you mistreated this people?  Why did you ever send me?  Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people."

1 Cor. 14:33a

…for God is a God not of disorder but of peace.

Mark 9:50

"…Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."  [Jesus to the twelve]