Beauty for Brokenness: Singing Lazarus’s Song Readings: Amos 6:1a, 4–7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:11–16; Luke 16:19–31 ⸻ The Hymn as a Prayer When Graham Kendrick wrote Beauty for Brokenness (TIS 690), he wasn’t simply writing a hymn — he was penning a prayer of lament and hope. It cries out on behalf of the poor, the dispossessed, the voiceless: “God of the poor, friend of the weak, give us compassion we pray.” Singing it today, with fresh voices or even a recording made long ago, it becomes a living commentary on the Scriptures appointed for this Sunday. When reflecting on the readings, this hymn and a recording I made of it some 16 years ago kept bubbling to the surface. ⸻ Amos: Woe to the Comfortable The prophet Amos is fierce: “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion… who lie on beds of ivory… but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph” (Amos 6:1a, 4–7). The words slice through complacency. It is not wealth itself Amos condemns, but indifference — the numbing of the heart to suf...
Kevin writes from the perspective of being an Englishmen in rural Australia. His interests and activities include - but are not limited to - health - Integrative Medicine including LLLT/PBM, inclusive theology, liturgical music and choral direction, writing (fiction, poetry and opinion pieces) and the local rural community.