If We Have Abandoned the Love We Had--Dec. 13, 2017

[From Dec. 9, 2015 archive]

If we have trampled on the needy,

and brought to ruin the poor of the land;

if we have closed our hearts to pity,

and with our mouths have spoken arrogantly;

if we have tied up heavy burdens, hard

to bear, and laid them on the shoulders of others,

unwilling to lift a finger to move them ourselves;

if we have abandoned the love we had at first,

forgive us, Lord Jesus, and remind us

how far we have fallen.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 50; 147:1-11; 53; 17

Amos 8:1-14

Rev. 1:17-2:7

Matt. 23:1-12

Selected Verses

Ps. 17:10

They close their hearts to pity;

            with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

Amos 8:4

Hear this, you that trample on the needy,

            and bring to ruin the poor of the land…

Rev. 2:4-5a

"…But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Remember then from what you have fallen…" [He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, to the angel of the church in Ephesus]

Matt. 23:4

"…[The scribes and Pharisees] tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them."  [Jesus to the crowds and his disciples]