Lift up the Gates--Dec. 1, 2013

 [from Nov. 27, 2011 archive]

Lift up the gates of our souls,

and enter in, O King of Glory!

Complacent in our peace and security

we allow the righteous to be sold for silver,

the head of the poor to be trampled into the dust.

When the afflicted are pushed out of the way,

should it surprise us that destruction is imminent?

Need we inquire for signs of when this will take place?

We dare not ask you to revoke the punishment;

but come into our souls that we may change our ways;

and be merciful, O King of Glory.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 24: 150; 25; 110

Amos 1:1-5; 1:13-2:8

1 Thess. 5:1-11

Luke 21:5-19

Selected Verses

Ps. 24:7

Lift up your heads, O gates!

            and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

            that the King of glory may come in.

Amos 2:6-7b

Thus says the LORD:

For three transgressions of Israel,

            and for four, I will not revoke the punishment;

because they sell the righteous for silver,

            and the needy for a pair of sandals —

they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth,

            and push the afflicted out of the way…

1 Thess. 5:3

When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!

Luke 21:7

[Some disciples Jesus had been telling about the destruction of the Temple] asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"