Psalm Meditation 656
Baptism of the Lord
January 13, 2013

Psalm 145
1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.
14 The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
(NRSV)

Current polling shows that we have a growing number of folks who respond to the question of religious affiliation with the word, none. This gives rise to some pretty serious hand wringing among folks whose livelihood is based on the religious affiliation of the masses. There is more at stake than financial concerns. Folks are concerned that we may be seeing the end of the influence of religion on everyday life and maybe even the end of organized religion as we know it. I find that I do not share the concerns. While the numbers may be shrinking, the influence may be waning, I do not see the end of organized religion.

One generation continues to “laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts,” in such a way that the seed is planted and some of those who hear respond in the same way folks have responded for generations. The story continues to be told and heard, and passed on from one generation to another. As the story is told and heard, it also takes root in the lives of those who hear and experience those mighty acts of God.

Numbers of folks active in congregations may continue to shrink. People of faith may lose control of the reins of political power. Faith groups may lose some of the advantages to which we have become accustomed. However, the power of faith will continue to touch the lives of people in life changing ways. Faith will be able to speak with the voice of those on the outside of the halls of power, which is when God is able to speak most eloquently. We will continue to be able to speak the praise of God in the way we live our lives.

January 7, 2013