Scripture Sunday: Do Not Be Far From Me

Psalm 22:1-15
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from saving me,
    so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
    by night, but I find no rest
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
    you are the one Israel praises.
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
    they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man,
    scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
    they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
    “let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
    since he delights in him.”
9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;
    you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
10 From birth I was cast on you;
    from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
11 Do not be far from me,
    for trouble is near
    and there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls surround me;
    strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
13 Roaring lions that tear their prey
    open their mouths wide against me.
14 I am poured out like water,
    and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
    it has melted within me.
15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
    and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
    you lay me in the dust of death.

Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
6 Seek the Lord and live,
    or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire;
it will devour them,
    and Bethel will have no one to quench it.
7 There are those who turn justice into bitterness
    and cast righteousness to the ground.
10 There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court
    and detest the one who tells the truth.
11 You levy a straw tax on the poor
    and impose a tax on their grain.
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,
    you will not live in them;
though you have planted lush vineyards,
    you will not drink their wine.
12 For I know how many are your offenses
    and how great your sins.
There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes
    and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
13 Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times,
    for the times are evil.
​14 Seek good, not evil,
    that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
    just as you say he is.
15 Hate evil, love good;
    maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy
    on the remnant of Joseph.

The recent hurricanes have left us all in shock. We watch in horror as devastation unfolds, with our news feeds and social media overwhelmed by images of destruction. We are burdened by comments coming from all sides: “Why didn’t we know the storm would be this bad? Should we help those who didn’t evacuate? How will the community ever recover? Where can I go? Are these storms only going to get worse with climate change? What can we do to help? How can we help provide accurate information?”

God, in God’s grace, has given us these Scriptures through the lectionary for this Sunday. It speaks to us, especially to those in the midst of the storm’s aftermath, those awaiting the next one, and those working tirelessly in relief efforts. They cry out with the Psalmist: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?”. The Psalmist's lament captures the heart of all who cry out for rescue in times of despair. They feel abandoned, as if God has turned away from their suffering. Yet, even in this anguish, the Psalmist holds onto the hope that God is the great Deliverer, the One who rescued their ancestors and remains faithful even when God’s presence feels distant. Even when others mock their faith, the Psalmist clings to trust because of how God has been faithful in the past.

In Amos, we hear a sobering lament and a call to repentance. The prophet speaks of those who despise the truth and oppress the poor. They impose burdensome taxes on essential needs, all while living in luxury and comfort, planting vineyards and building mansions. This injustice kindles God's anger like a sweeping fire. It’s all too easy for us to ignore the effects of climate change and environmental disaster while we remain in our comfortable homes and irrigated lawns, while maintaining our lives of convenience. We can become blind to the suffering of those who bear the brunt of the climate crisis.

Let us open our eyes to these powerful storms, and the shout they give to call us back to our senses. There is a crisis and we need to do something now. Let us mourn the death of our fellow image bearers. Let us rejoice for how humankind is helping one another. Let us wait for a day, as Amos did, when justice will roll down like water, truth will be in the land, and there will be no more fear or death. And let us pray like the Psalmist. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 



Caroline Hiler is a Seminary Intern at Creation Justice Ministries

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A Prayer for People Facing Great Uncertainty
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all as we wait in uncertainty. Bring hope and peace with whatever lies ahead.  Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided.  For your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you.

— Adapted from a New Zealand Prayer Book, page 765

A Prayer for First Responders
Almighty God, you lend your strength to all those who are there for us in times of crisis, fear and hurt. You give courage to the first responders who continue to do this important work they are called to do, looking beyond the risk for the sake of those who need your help and protection. We give you thanks for the many ways they give of themselves, their skills, knowledge and help in troubling times. Protect them, o Lord. Extend your shielding hand over them and comfort their hearts when they are tired and heartbroken.
God, we also lift up prayers of thanksgiving and comfort for the families of first responders and all who support them. Give them hope and courage. Surround them with your loving presence and give them peace when their loved ones run toward uncertainty. All this we pray in your name.

-- Sarah Swindall, Augsburg University

Prayers from:
​https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/worship-resources/let-us-pray/hurricane-season-prayers/#:~:text=Creator%20God%2C%20we%20ask%20you,help%20in%20the%20coming%20days.