I. Readings
Psalms 26, 116, 130, 147:12-20
Hosea 4:1-10
Acts 21:27-36
Luke 6:1-11
II. Selections
Psalm 147:12
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
Hosea 4:3
Therefore the land mourns,
and all who live in it languish;
together with the wild animals
and the birds of the air,
even the fish of the sea are perishing.
Acts 21:31
While [ the people in the mob outside the temple] were trying to kill [ Paul], word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Luke 6:8
Even though [ Jesus] knew what [ the scribes and Pharisees] were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come and stand here." He got up and stood there.
III. Meditation: The land mourns
We praise you, O God, though the land mourns, though all who live in it languish. We praise you Lord God, though wild animals, birds of the air, and even the fish of the sea are perishing. We praise you though murderous mobs rule through reign of terror, and cities are in uproar. As Jesus did not allow hostile critics to prevent him from healing the sick, give us courage and wisdom to work toward a more just, peaceable, and healthy planet, no matter how great the opposition. In work such as this our praise of you takes on new meaning. We pray in Jesus' name.
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