Are Our Hearts so Hardened?--March 31, 2019

Merciful God,

in a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters

has reached thousands,

while in other lands the ground is cracked;

there farmers hang their heads because

there is no rain. 

In either case, crops are ruined,

leading to famine.

Forgive our indifference to the concerns

of the hungry.

Do we still not perceive the calamity

of climate disruption,

still fail to understand what we

contribute to it?

Surely the freedom that we receive

from Christ

does not convey liberty to enslave

others with hunger.

Then are our hearts so hardened

that we do not care?

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 84; 150; 42; 32

Jer. 14:1-22

Gal.4:21-5:1

Mark 8:11-21

Selected Verses

Ps. 32:6

Therefore let all who are faithful
          offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
          shall not reach them. 

Jer. 14:3b-4

[Servants who find no water] are ashamed and dismayed
          and cover their heads,
because the ground is cracked.
          Because there has been no rain on the land
the farmers are dismayed;
          they cover their heads. 

Gal. 5:1

For freedom Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Mark 8:17

"…And becoming aware of [their concerns], Jesus said to [his disciples], "Why are you talking about having no bread?  Do you still not perceive or understand?  Are your hearts hardened?"