Loving God,

even as  we sit at ease,

dressed in purple and fine linen,

enjoying songs and the sound of the harp,

feasting sumptuously every day -

yet still we are grieved over the ruin of Joseph,

and the destruction in Gaza,

and the fighting in Ukraine

and the turmoil in our own country.

We feel stymied and helpless.

We can hardly believe that houses and lands will again be bought and sold in our lands, except maybe by the very rich.

So help us find ways to do good with what we have in this world, 

that we might take hold of the life that is really life.

And when Lazarus shows up at our door,

may we have the grace to invite him in and make him welcome.