God of Justice and Righteousness,
our petitions asking you
to right wrongs vary greatly.
Some rightfully complain of neglect;
while others call for your vengeance
even as they praise your name.
St. Stephen asked you to forgive
those who stoned him to death.
As we observe the birth
of the one who taught love,
what should we ask you to do
about the injustices in our world?
Lectionary Readings
Ps. 116; 149; 119:1-24; 27
2 Chron. 24:17-22
Acts 6:1-7
Acts 7:59-8:8
Selected Verses
Ps. 149:6-7
Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples
2 Chron. 24:22
King Joash did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, had shown him, but killed his son. As he was dying, he said, “May the LORD see and avenge!”
Acts 6:1
Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.
Acts 7:60
Then [Stephen] knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
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