Psalm Meditation 571
Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 29, 2011

Psalm 128
1 Happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways.
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 May you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!
(NRSV)

It has not been that long ago that a large family was very important. Children gave the family a dependable work force in the family business and having many children was a guarantee that at least some would live to maturity to carry on the family name and business. With industrialization most of us don’t own or operate our workplace so we have less stake in the survival of the business. With advances in medicine as well as an awareness of global population figures the reasons to have large families are also less compelling.

The psalm continues to speak to us. We continue to enjoy the fruit of our labor in a lot of ways. In a depressed and depressing economy we may not get the financial rewards we had hoped, however we continue to take pride in the work we are able to do. Some are able to continue doing the work they did in a booming economy even though they may have less money to show for that same work. Others have found new areas of labor and some struggle to find a place with any reward in this troubled time. Hopefully, each of us can find something that gives meaning to our lives.

When rewards for work are scarce it may also be more difficult to find joy in family. There are so many extra worries when money and other resources are stretched tight. As we struggle, it is possible to find a haven in the bonds of family. As we are able to look for ways that God’s blessings touch us we can see that love of God and family can help us through even the worst of times; especially the ones that try all our resources.

God is with us and does make our burdens lighter by that holy presence. As the economy improves we may find that we can continue to do with fewer things so that we are better able to keep the joy we discovered in the company of God and each other in the rich relationship of faith and trust.

May 23, 2011