Tear Your Hearts, Not Your Clothes. Poem by Dr. Antony Theodore

The Lord God commands:
Turn back to me
wholeheartedly with fasting,
weeping and wailing.

Tear your hearts, not your clothes,
and turn to the Lord your God!

For he is gracious and merciful,
patient and rich in kindness.

Gather the people,
sanctify the sanctuary!
Gather the elders,
bring the children together,
including the babies!
The groom leaves his
chamber and the bride
leaves her room.

Between the vestibule
and the altar, the priests
should sit in sackcloths and ashes
to pray to the Lord of heaven and earth:
Have mercy, Lord,
with your people,
and do not leave your
people in poverty and sin.


No one shall say:
Where is your God?
Thenthe Lord has passion
and mercy on his people.


(Graphic: Reference to: Book JOEL 2,12-18 in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible)