Lamentations 3:19-26
Proper 22 (27) - Year C
Lamentations 3:19-26; Lamentations 1:1-6; or Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
"How lonely sits (__name of your congregation/denomination__) that once was full of people!"
So states the Lamenter.
Habakkuk clarifies a why behind the statement.
"Look at the Proud! Their spirit is not right in them...."
This is the key to understanding the multiple transgressions the Lamenter recognizes - satisfaction that they were getting-theirs and a rejoicing that they could help those who weren't-getting-any without, in any way, risking theirs. Pride and unilateral mission were the set up.
It does suggest that if our hope is going to be real this morning, a reversal is to really come, steadfast love and mercy will in some way involve sacrifice and mutuality.
Now what does that mean in each home and congregation?
- - -
writing a vision large
doesn't help those who don't look
should they glance
the font would be readablewhile writing is crucial analysis
it pales in the face of non-readers
who find it even more critical
for them to continue apacethis is true for holy writing
in a book or on a wall
the words are present
the understanding is notwe have taken surfaces
all too literally
and lost the life of words
in some magical Wordmay all dreams this night
be troubled
and all dreams tomorrow
be possible