I was ready to let him come in. My hands were covered with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, as I grasped the handle of the door.

No one turns to you in prayer; no one goes to you for help. You have hidden yourself from us and have abandoned us because of our sins.

God sent his messenger, a man named John,

Then he returned to the three disciples and found them asleep; and he said to Peter, "How is it that you three were not able to keep watch with me for even one hour?

Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed.

Come back to your right senses and stop your sinful ways. I declare to your shame that some of you do not know God.

for anything that is clearly revealed becomes light. That is why it is said, "Wake up, sleeper, and rise from death, and Christ will shine on you."

Listen! Wisdom is calling out in the streets and marketplaces,

calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together:

On the hilltops near the road and at the crossroads she stands.

At the entrance to the city, beside the gates, she calls:

Those who listen to me will be happy--- those who stay at my door every day, waiting at the entrance to my home.

The servant went back and told all this to his master. The master was furious and said to his servant, 'Hurry out to the streets and alleys of the town, and bring back the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'

So the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the country roads and lanes and make people come in, so that my house will be full.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? I have cried desperately for help, but still it does not come.

During the day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer; I call at night, but get no rest.

(SEE 42:6)

To God, my defender, I say, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies?"

You are my protector; why have you abandoned me? Why must I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies?

Then I will go to your altar, O God; you are the source of my happiness. I will play my harp and sing praise to you, O God, my God.

"Will the Lord always reject us? Will he never again be pleased with us?

Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has anger taken the place of his compassion?"