Psalm Meditation 647
Twenty fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
November 11, 2012

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)

There always seem to be those who, when gifts are being given out, know that they deserve to get one. They have gone through all the right motions, said all the right things and been in all the right places at the right times. What they don’t seem to get is that gifts are given rather than earned. A gift is not a reward for putting up with the desires and demands of another. A gift is something given out of the goodness of the giver’s heart. It is true that every action has a cost and a promise, which means we are aware that there will be a pay off for being in a relationship. If we are in the relationship in order to receive the gifts that are a part of that promise, it will be a very unfulfilling relationship.

There are those who are in a relationship with God only for what they feel they can get out of it. The sole reason for any action or inaction on their part is to earn their place in heaven. It is not nearly so much about cultivating a fulfilling relationship with God as it is about getting the perks of that relationship without actually having to invest too much of themselves. They seem to end up disappointed in both the relationships and the gifts.

The real gift of a relationship with God, is the relationship itself. A phrase the Christian mystics use is, ‘wasting time with God.’ It is not a bad thing, it is simply being together with God, no agenda, no time frame, no reason other than to be together with God. To be able to add other people who are also interested in spending time with God is an added benefit to the relationship. Those who enjoy the presence of God for the sheer joy of being together find that they receive countless blessings and a sense of wholeness. The gifts God gives are not usually things we can hold in our hands. God’s gifts are not usually things that can be held at all. The gifts of God touch us and change us as they pass by us and through us.

November 5, 2012