O Jerusalem!

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Matthew 23:37-39

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem
this gathering of faithful people
our prophets and messengers
stoned still by fear
we reject the love
and move back from the full embrace.

O Indianapolis, Indianapolis
the heat has melted us
we have bent our knees in prayer
and hardened our hearts
to brothers and sisters in need.

O children of God,
Christ aches to surround us
Christ weeps over our ignorance
Christ desires that we reconcile
and humble ourselves before God.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem
the armies of greed and indifference
rise up daily without our intervention
they devour the weak and the poor
and make a mockery of honor and respect.

O people of God
our hands are needed now
to comfort and bind the wounds
to welcome and to embrace
our voices raised in grief and lament
shall become the songs of joy
and the dance tunes of God's love.