Banquet Invitation Declined--Nov. 12, 2012

 [From Nov. 13, 2006 Archive]

We throw dust on our heads, weep, mourn, cry out

alas, alas! 

So much wealth and greatness

laid waste.

Even the wild animals cry to you

for water.

The mountains melt like wax before you,

Lord of all.

You issued the invitation:

“Come, for everything is ready.”

We make excuses.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 135; 145; 97; 112

Joel 1:15-2:2

Rev. 18:15-24

Luke 14:12-24

Selected Verses

Psalm 97:5

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

            before the Lord of all the earth.

Joel 1:20

Even the wild animals cry to you,

            because the watercourses are dried up,

and fire has devoured

            the pastures of the wilderness.

Rev. 18:19

And they threw dust on their heads, as they wept and mourned, crying out,

            “Alas, alas, the great city,

                        where all who had ships at sea

                        grew rich by her wealth!

            For in one hour she has been laid waste.”

Luke 14:17-18a

“…At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’  But they all alike began to make excuses.  …  ”  [Jesus telling a dinner guest the parable of the Great Dinner]