Nothing Escapes the Locust Horde--Nov. 13, 2012

[From Nov. 14, 2006 Archive]

You invite us to the marriage supper of the Lamb;

you gladden our souls as we lift them up to you;

but there is a price to pay, a cross to carry;

and we must sit down and estimate the cost.

As a locust horde clear-cuts the landscape,

changing a garden of Eden into a desolate wilderness,

so you call us to cut ourselves off from everything—

whatever stands in the way of following you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86

Joel 2:3-11

Rev. 19:1-10

Luke 14:25-35

Selected Verses

Psalm 86:4

Gladden the soul of your servant,

            for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Joel 2:3b

Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,

            but after them a desolate wilderness,

            and nothing escapes them.

Rev. 19:9a

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Luke 14:27-28

“…Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?  …  ”  [Jesus to the large crowds traveling with him]