Eastertide
May 10, 2016

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-22

“In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
   and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
   and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
   in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
     and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
   and signs on the earth below,
     blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
   and the moon to blood,
     before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”—Acts 2:17-21

Located in the midst of tornado alley, Oklahoma is no stranger to natural disasters. The epidemic of earthquakes that have struck the state in the past few years has been breathtaking. Before 2007 there were two or three earthquakes reported each year. In many years there were none. In 2015 there were 890. These are somewhat different from the natural occurring earthquakes. They are apparently closer to the top of the earth and usually under 4 on the Richter scale. They are different because, in most cases, they result from human activities primarily returning wastewater from oil and gas well drilling into the earth.

Drawing on Hebrew prophets, Peter describes in our scriptures today the catastrophes that result from our failures to follow God’s ways. I think we tend to read these as God’s using natural occurring events as punishment. I wonder if it is not more likely the prophets and Peter are telling us we are our own worst enemies? We create havoc without concern for its resulting destruction in our greedy quests. Please understand me, I am not picking on the oil and gas industry. I think this epidemic of greed transcends all and, if it is not squelched, will lead to further chaos. We in Oklahoma have tangible evidence of the results of our behavior. Most people may not, until it is too late. It took us a while but we are now searching for solutions.

Our political spectrum seems to be playing the song “Greed is Good”. It is not nor does it ever lead to good.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us of our addiction to greed. Save us from ourselves. Amen.

 All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, 
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.