A  Poem a Sunday

Epiphany III – B

January 21, 2-17

St. Mark 1:14-20 - NRSV

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news[a] of God,[b] 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;[c] repent, and believe in the good news.”[d]

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Footnotes:

[a] Mark 1:14 Or gospel

[b] Mark 1:14 Other ancient authorities read of the kingdom

[c] Mark 1:15 Or is at hand

[e] Mark 1:15 Or gospel

A Poem a Sunday

Epiphany III - B

Epiphany Litany

“The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God has come near;

repent, and believe in the good news.”

O God,

When mudslides engulf homes,

When Puerto Rico is left alone,

When immigrants are political pawns,

Thy Kingdom come.

When silence gives voice to bigotry,

When leaders malign those in poverty,

When the wealthy receive tax cut welfare,

Thy Kingdom come.

When church bells ring hollow,

When worship becomes adult day care,

When prophets are nowhere,

Thy Kingdom come.

O God,

When a teen is rescued from a mudslide,

When volunteers work in Puerto Rico side by side,

When Senators insist on DACA,

The Kingdom comes.

When citizens unite exposing bigotry,

When soup kitchens feed those in poverty,

When the common good challenges the wealthy.

The Kingdom comes.

When church bells ring a freedom song,

When worship is love in action,

When prophets shout redressing wrong,

The Kingdom comes.

Amen

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