Lamentum

>Transcript of Lithurgy's speech at Murder of Crows
Topic: Lamentations

>>Concerning my name have I been asked, on what manner does "Lithurgy" mean? Well, it is an act of protest as well as a form of lament.

We are in a present age, as in ages past as nothing is new under the sun, of lethargic liturgy. I will quote from the Book of Amos to explain:

"Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?"— skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat. The LORD has sworn by himself, the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget anything they have done." (Amos 8:4-7)

Life is considered cheap, and with each oncoming year, has humanity taught itself to explore new ways of cheapening its value. It is not a wonder why Christ Himself said love of money is the root of all evil, and underlying that, the sin of pride in self. It is what drove the King of Babylon into madness, because at the core, it is not an ignorance of the consequences, but a belief that the individual can 'ride out' the path they have etched for themselves.

As in the time of Amos, the idea of spiritual matters is met immediately with the thought of gain for oneself, hidden behind an appearance of righteousness and benevolence.

For example, much criticism supporting the idea of seemingly harsher sounding music being a tool of the devil pointed to the facade's built by those who claimed to be followers of Christ, yet who openly admitted that they would sacrifice the potency of their lyricism for the sake of not sounding "too religious." And how much suffering did those who were genuine, yet sang in this harsh form, endured due to these wolves eager to buy "the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat."

I recall a passage of Scripture where a group of people were accused of turning against God for setting up an altar of remembrance for future generations in honor of God, with their opposition preparing to go to war with them and wipe this perceived blasphemy off the Earth. Yet, this group of people stopped them, pausing to discuss a word, proving their love for God through this art piece that was to impress the upcoming generation on the principles of God, settling the dispute. Sound familiar? (Joshua 22:11-34)

We are called to give an account of Christ in firmness, with humility, gentleness, and patience. And if Christ Himself faced accusation of being the devil's brood, then how much more so will we be called? However, I must implore you, to face this journey of life with the daily call to God to cleanse your hearts with hyssop drenched in the Blood of the Perfect Lamb, to maintain your walk to its end.

For, it is our call to be a living witness of Christ's principles, including warning others of what their selected path will take them, but we would be in deadly waters of sin ourselves if we tell them that we knew if they would for certain be in Hell or Heaven. For that is reserved between them and God, knowledge we ourselves cannot claim, lest we take the place of God.

Accompanying Verses:
1 Peter 3:15
Hebrews 12:2
Psalm 51:7
Matthew 10:25

Song Sung At Meeting: Are You Washed in the Blood? -Elisha A. Hoffman

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

"No eye pitied thee, to do any of these things unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, for that thy person was abhorred, in the day that thou wast born.

And when I passed by thee, and saw thee weltering in thy blood, I said unto thee, Though thou art in thy blood, live; yea, I said unto thee, Though thou art in thy blood, live." -Ezekiel 16:5-6

>>Personal Reflections.