Psalm Meditation 524
Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
July 4, 2010
This marks 10 years of psalm meditations and the beginning of the 11th. It is still mostly fun to do and I thank you for continuing to receive these meditation from me. LCM
Psalm 124
1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side --let Israel now say--
2 if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
(NRSV)
We may not know for sure what it is like not to have God on our side, or more accurately not to be on the side of God, however we have probably had the ‘what it…’ sense of panic in a time of trial. To stand with nothing but our own defenses can be a terrifying moment. As we realize that we are not alone in this or any other trial we can relax a bit and focus on the task at hand rather than having to carry the full weight of the world and meet the task.
This doesn’t mean that each of us will survive every battle unscathed. We will be bruised and cut and otherwise wounded as we face the big and small battles of our lives and some will give their lives for the sake of God and the people of God. As we at least aim for a faithful relationship with God we will know that God is with us and that we are a part of a long line of those who have lived in the presence of God.
Some of us are very aware of the snares we have left broken by our dependence on God and God’s people. Some of us have managed not to take the bait of various snares because of a relationship with God. Some of us have never noticed the snares that have beckoned to us because of a relationship with God. In each case as we have broken free, resisted the bait and never even noticed the snare we have done so with a growing assurance of the presence of God and the people of God in our lives.
© June 28, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Psalm Meditation 523
Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 27, 2010
Psalm 99
1 The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!
4 Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his decrees, and the statutes that he gave them.
8 O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy.
(NRSV)
We do things for lots of reasons. Some things we do out of fear; some things we do out of a sense of duty or obligation; some things we do for pleasure; some things because it is the right thing to do. Each of us has a reason or set of reasons for our worship and honor of God. For the psalmist there are nine verses worth of reasons for folk to worship God not least of which is the holiness of God.
In Greek, Roman and Norse religious lore divine beings do not worry about morality and ethics in their actions because they are not bound by those kinds of human concerns. The ends justify the means and selfish concerns are as good a reason to act as any other. Human motives also function as divine motives In contrast, Yahweh calls humans to live by a standard that includes ethics and morality. Yahweh models a way of being in which actions have the same consequences for people in the farms and marketplaces as they do for people in palaces and temples.
It is the holiness of Yahweh that is attractive. God calls us to a holiness that is engaged in the activities of Creation. We are not simply on our own separate path to God, we are a part of a community with gifts to offer and gifts to receive. In a community of faith we receive the call of God to a life of holiness based in our love for God and a love for each other. As we find ourselves in a closer relationship with God we find ourselves drawn closer to the people of God.
© June 21, 2010
Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 27, 2010
Psalm 99
1 The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!
4 Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his decrees, and the statutes that he gave them.
8 O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy.
(NRSV)
We do things for lots of reasons. Some things we do out of fear; some things we do out of a sense of duty or obligation; some things we do for pleasure; some things because it is the right thing to do. Each of us has a reason or set of reasons for our worship and honor of God. For the psalmist there are nine verses worth of reasons for folk to worship God not least of which is the holiness of God.
In Greek, Roman and Norse religious lore divine beings do not worry about morality and ethics in their actions because they are not bound by those kinds of human concerns. The ends justify the means and selfish concerns are as good a reason to act as any other. Human motives also function as divine motives In contrast, Yahweh calls humans to live by a standard that includes ethics and morality. Yahweh models a way of being in which actions have the same consequences for people in the farms and marketplaces as they do for people in palaces and temples.
It is the holiness of Yahweh that is attractive. God calls us to a holiness that is engaged in the activities of Creation. We are not simply on our own separate path to God, we are a part of a community with gifts to offer and gifts to receive. In a community of faith we receive the call of God to a life of holiness based in our love for God and a love for each other. As we find ourselves in a closer relationship with God we find ourselves drawn closer to the people of God.
© June 21, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Psalm Meditation 522
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 20, 2010
Psalm 74
1 O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember your congregation, which you acquired long ago, which you redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage. Remember Mount Zion, where you came to dwell.
3 Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary.
4 Your foes have roared within your holy place; they set up their emblems there.
12 Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the earth.
13 You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the dragons in the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
15 You cut openings for springs and torrents; you dried up ever- flowing streams.
16 Yours is the day, yours also the night; you established the luminaries and the sun.
17 You have fixed all the bounds of the earth; you made summer and winter.
18 Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs, and an impious people reviles your name.
19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever.
20 Have regard for your covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the haunts of violence.
21 Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.
22 Rise up, O God, plead your cause; remember how the impious scoff at you all day long.
23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of your adversaries that goes up continually.
(NRSV)
I probably spend way too much time feeling sorry for myself. When things don’t work out the way I expect I know that it is the end of the world for me. After awhile I find a new perspective and am able to get back into a much more contented frame of mind and heart. I rediscover that God is present and active in my life whether it is the way I would like or not. The part of my life over which I was despairing has not changed much if at all, however I remember that other parts of my life are more rich than the despair allowed me to see for a moment.
For the psalmist the Temple has been taken over by a conquering army and they have replaced the emblems of God with their own religious symbols. In most cultures of the day that would have meant that their familiar religion had now been replaced by the religion of their conquerors. Israel knew that Yahweh was not defeated each time the nation was overtaken. Yahweh stands on the side of the needy, downtrodden and oppressed. Empires might rise up over the people but they could not conquer Yahweh who is the creator and preserver of all that is.
Our concept of how God works may have changed a bit, however we continue to believe in and follow the creator and preserver of all that is. We may be beaten down for a moment or for a lifetime and we believe that God is with us through the triumphs and tragedies calling us to ever deeper relationships with God, with each other and with all.
© June 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 20, 2010
Psalm 74
1 O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember your congregation, which you acquired long ago, which you redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage. Remember Mount Zion, where you came to dwell.
3 Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary.
4 Your foes have roared within your holy place; they set up their emblems there.
12 Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the earth.
13 You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the dragons in the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
15 You cut openings for springs and torrents; you dried up ever- flowing streams.
16 Yours is the day, yours also the night; you established the luminaries and the sun.
17 You have fixed all the bounds of the earth; you made summer and winter.
18 Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs, and an impious people reviles your name.
19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever.
20 Have regard for your covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the haunts of violence.
21 Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.
22 Rise up, O God, plead your cause; remember how the impious scoff at you all day long.
23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of your adversaries that goes up continually.
(NRSV)
I probably spend way too much time feeling sorry for myself. When things don’t work out the way I expect I know that it is the end of the world for me. After awhile I find a new perspective and am able to get back into a much more contented frame of mind and heart. I rediscover that God is present and active in my life whether it is the way I would like or not. The part of my life over which I was despairing has not changed much if at all, however I remember that other parts of my life are more rich than the despair allowed me to see for a moment.
For the psalmist the Temple has been taken over by a conquering army and they have replaced the emblems of God with their own religious symbols. In most cultures of the day that would have meant that their familiar religion had now been replaced by the religion of their conquerors. Israel knew that Yahweh was not defeated each time the nation was overtaken. Yahweh stands on the side of the needy, downtrodden and oppressed. Empires might rise up over the people but they could not conquer Yahweh who is the creator and preserver of all that is.
Our concept of how God works may have changed a bit, however we continue to believe in and follow the creator and preserver of all that is. We may be beaten down for a moment or for a lifetime and we believe that God is with us through the triumphs and tragedies calling us to ever deeper relationships with God, with each other and with all.
© June 14, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Psalm Meditation 521
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 13, 2010
Psalm 49
1 Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor together.
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.
5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,
6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7 Truly, no ransom avails for one's life, there is no price one can give to God for it.
8 For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice
9 that one should live on forever and never see the grave.
10 When we look at the wise, they die; fool and dolt perish together and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own.
12 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.
13 Such is the fate of the foolhardy, the end of those who are pleased with their lot. Selah
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home.
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah
16 Do not be afraid when some become rich, when the wealth of their houses increases.
17 For when they die they will carry nothing away; their wealth will not go down after them.
18 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy --for you are praised when you do well for yourself--
19 they will go to the company of their ancestors, who will never again see the light.
20 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.
(NRSV)
It seems that a common definition of wealth is, anyone who has more than the one currently defining the term. It is a sliding scale that never includes the group of which the speaker is a part. The exception seems to be the folks who are in the millionaire/billionaire category who know they are wealthy and either that they are entitled to it or entrusted with it.
Wealth is often seen as a gift from God, a reward for one’s hard work and diligence. The folks who did at least some of the work to make the money for the wealthy are more likely to feel put upon or oppressed by the one who reaps the reward of their labor.
The psalmist reminds us that we need not worry when another becomes rich because it will not last. We may remember any good they do with their wealth for a generation or two but they will not be able to take their wealth with them beyond the grave. It is wealth in God that makes a lasting difference in people’s lives. When I am touched by one who has a rich relationship with God, I too become rich in God and can touch others with the same legacy of wealth. The riches that God offers last much longer and are more easily spread than the riches the world offers.
There are folks who have both money and a rich relationship with God and there are folks who have neither money or a relationship with God. If one is pressed to pursue one or the other the psalmist encourages us to look toward a lasting and fulfilling relationship with God.
© June 7, 2010
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 13, 2010
Psalm 49
1 Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor together.
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.
5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,
6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7 Truly, no ransom avails for one's life, there is no price one can give to God for it.
8 For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice
9 that one should live on forever and never see the grave.
10 When we look at the wise, they die; fool and dolt perish together and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own.
12 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.
13 Such is the fate of the foolhardy, the end of those who are pleased with their lot. Selah
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home.
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah
16 Do not be afraid when some become rich, when the wealth of their houses increases.
17 For when they die they will carry nothing away; their wealth will not go down after them.
18 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy --for you are praised when you do well for yourself--
19 they will go to the company of their ancestors, who will never again see the light.
20 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.
(NRSV)
It seems that a common definition of wealth is, anyone who has more than the one currently defining the term. It is a sliding scale that never includes the group of which the speaker is a part. The exception seems to be the folks who are in the millionaire/billionaire category who know they are wealthy and either that they are entitled to it or entrusted with it.
Wealth is often seen as a gift from God, a reward for one’s hard work and diligence. The folks who did at least some of the work to make the money for the wealthy are more likely to feel put upon or oppressed by the one who reaps the reward of their labor.
The psalmist reminds us that we need not worry when another becomes rich because it will not last. We may remember any good they do with their wealth for a generation or two but they will not be able to take their wealth with them beyond the grave. It is wealth in God that makes a lasting difference in people’s lives. When I am touched by one who has a rich relationship with God, I too become rich in God and can touch others with the same legacy of wealth. The riches that God offers last much longer and are more easily spread than the riches the world offers.
There are folks who have both money and a rich relationship with God and there are folks who have neither money or a relationship with God. If one is pressed to pursue one or the other the psalmist encourages us to look toward a lasting and fulfilling relationship with God.
© June 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Psalm Meditation 520
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 6, 2010
Psalm 24
1 The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;
2 for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah
(NRSV)
In a time before psychology became a science the best way to judge folk was by their actions. If their actions were pure then the person had to be pure. Now that we have psychology we discover that there is almost always a touch of selfishness behind even the purest of actions. We find ourselves weighing our options with an eye to both the cost and the promise involved in the performance of our simplest tasks. While I am grateful for the folks who gave us the basics of psychology, as well as those who continue to practice and refine the art and science of it I believe there are times we do well to let actions speak without dissecting motives.
If we have to find the dirty underbelly of each and every action we will discover that no one will be in the presence of God for longer than a few seconds. I am a firm believer in grace, especially God’s grace. However, this psalm is about our hands and hearts and not about grace. The psalmist had to have some folks in mind at the writing of the psalm or it would have painted a much more bleak picture of our chances of standing in the presence of God at the victory celebration.
While our motives may be suspect and our actions are sullied by our motives there is still a victory celebration and some people get to be in the presence of God for it. So when the gates are lifted up and the doors swing open we will do well to gather for the celebration. As we are able to recognize the glorious presence of God it may be the case that God will recognize in us the kind of people who will make for a great celebration and party. When it comes down to who is actually on the guest list I am counting on some surprises.
© June 1, 2010
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 6, 2010
Psalm 24
1 The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;
2 for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah
(NRSV)
In a time before psychology became a science the best way to judge folk was by their actions. If their actions were pure then the person had to be pure. Now that we have psychology we discover that there is almost always a touch of selfishness behind even the purest of actions. We find ourselves weighing our options with an eye to both the cost and the promise involved in the performance of our simplest tasks. While I am grateful for the folks who gave us the basics of psychology, as well as those who continue to practice and refine the art and science of it I believe there are times we do well to let actions speak without dissecting motives.
If we have to find the dirty underbelly of each and every action we will discover that no one will be in the presence of God for longer than a few seconds. I am a firm believer in grace, especially God’s grace. However, this psalm is about our hands and hearts and not about grace. The psalmist had to have some folks in mind at the writing of the psalm or it would have painted a much more bleak picture of our chances of standing in the presence of God at the victory celebration.
While our motives may be suspect and our actions are sullied by our motives there is still a victory celebration and some people get to be in the presence of God for it. So when the gates are lifted up and the doors swing open we will do well to gather for the celebration. As we are able to recognize the glorious presence of God it may be the case that God will recognize in us the kind of people who will make for a great celebration and party. When it comes down to who is actually on the guest list I am counting on some surprises.
© June 1, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)