I was taught in divinity school to avoid reading the lectionary selections as a direct commentary on my time and place and instead recognize them as deeply embedded in their ancient world contexts. This was excellent advice. But sometimes these old words hit me upside the head:
O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack, and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous; therefore judgment comes forth perverted.
