November 02, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 25, 40, 84
Lamentations 4:1-22
Revelation 6:12-7:4
Matthew 13:24-30

II. Selections
Psalm 40:12b-c
...my iniquities have overtaken me
until I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.

Lamentations 4:3
Even the jackals offer the breast
and nurse their young,
but my people has become cruel,
like the ostriches in the wilderness.

Revelation 6:15-17
Then the kings of the earth and the magnates and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Matthew 13:25
" ...but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. ... " [ Jesus to the crowds]

III. Meditation: Who is able to stand?

What has happened to our people?
How have we become so cruel,
like ostriches in the wilderness?
(Even jackals nurse their young.)

Our iniquities have overtaken us
until we cannot see-they are
more than the hairs of our head,
and our heart fails us.

Rulers of the earth and magnates,
generals and the rich and the powerful,
and everyone, we should hide in caves;
fall upon us, O mountains, and hide us.

While we were sleeping, did an enemy
come and sow weeds among the wheat?
Have mercy, O God, for surely our
warring ways deserve your wrath.