Psalm Meditation 750
Twenty first Sunday of Ordinary Time
November 2, 2014
Psalm 39
1 I said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was silent and still; I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse,
3 my heart became hot within me. While I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight. Surely everyone stands as a mere breath. Selah
6 Surely everyone goes about like a shadow. Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; they heap up, and do not know who will gather.
7 “And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool.
9 I am silent; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.
10 Remove your stroke from me; I am worn down by the blows of your hand.
11 “You chastise mortals in punishment for sin, consuming like a moth what is dear to them; surely everyone is a mere breath. Selah
12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; do not hold your peace at my tears. For I am your passing guest, an alien, like all my forebears.
13 Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more.”
(NRSV)
There is something comforting about knowing that we are under the complete control of another, until things stop going well for us. As children, it is does not even cross our minds that things cost money, time and effort. All we know is that there is food on the table, clothes to wear and a place to call home. We are unnerved to discover that things come to us at a cost that someone else has paid so that we can survive and thrive. The next surprise comes when we get to the point at which it is up to us to pay that price for ourselves and for others. We discover the kinds of sacrifices that folks made for our sakes with a sense of gratitude.
Part of the progression of religious faith development is that we begin with a sense that God provides everything for us, has our whole lives mapped out and all we need to do is follow the script God has written for us. Some folks are content to believe that there is no opportunity to depart from the script, we simply play out the parts in which we have been cast and all proceeds according to the will of God. As a theatre major in college, I had opportunity to work with directors who gave actors some leeway in interpreting the character. I have also worked with directors who did not tolerate even the slightest deviation from the script. There are folks who see God as one of these kinds of directors.
The older I get the more I see God encouraging improvisation. There is an arc, a direction in which God would like to see the story go and we are each allowed to exercise our free will in moving along that arc. God is so good at all this that as we change the shape of the arc by our words and actions God adapts the story arc to accommodate the changes we have made. All this to say that I believe God has given us free will, encourages us to exercise it, stays with us to love and support us when we do and is available to give us pointers and suggestions that move us all to closer relationship with God and with each other.
October 27, 2014
LCM
Monday, October 27, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
Psalm Meditation 749
Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time
October 26, 2014
Psalm 89:1-15,49-52
1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:
4 ‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah
5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,
7 a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and awesome above all that are around him?
8 O LORD God of hosts, who is as mighty as you, O LORD? Your faithfulness surrounds you.
9 You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it—you have founded them.
12 The north and the south—you created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
13 You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance;
49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?
50 Remember, O Lord, how your servant is taunted; how I bear in my bosom the insults of the peoples,
51 with which your enemies taunt, O LORD, with which they taunted the footsteps of your anointed.
52 Blessed be the LORD forever. Amen and Amen.
(NRSV)
Remember when our parents could do anything and everything? They were there to protect us, to defend us, to feed and clothe us. Not only did they do these things they did them better than any of the other parents in the whole, wide world. At some point we realize that they have their limits, that they are not omnipotent, they are not perfect. For some of us, our parents become an embarrassment. More time passes and we begin to see that our parents are pretty wise and wonderful even though they have their limits. Many of us go through the same process with God.
We see God as able to do anything and everything, especially the things we want, the things that will make our lives easier, better and more fun. Then something happens. We ask God for something and it doesn’t happen. We are hurt and angry. We do our best to change something in the equation to keep our equilibrium. That doesn’t work either. I have found that it is much more fulfilling to see God as present rather than powerful, as loving instead of angry, as hospitable rather than hostile. God is not out to get us, not out to make our lives miserable and willing to be with us in all those times when things do not go according to our plan. When things do not go according to our plan we see God as a source of comfort in our suffering rather than the cause of all those things.
Is God with us? Yes. Does God protect us from all harm? No. Is God the cause of all the harm that befalls us or all the good that happens to and around us? No. God gathers us into loving arms and holds us as securely as we will allow. God offers us comfort through being present with us; not necessarily changing the situation at all, except by being with us. Sometimes knowing we are not alone makes all the difference in the world.
October 20, 2014
LCM
Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time
October 26, 2014
Psalm 89:1-15,49-52
1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:
4 ‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah
5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,
7 a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and awesome above all that are around him?
8 O LORD God of hosts, who is as mighty as you, O LORD? Your faithfulness surrounds you.
9 You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it—you have founded them.
12 The north and the south—you created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
13 You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance;
49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?
50 Remember, O Lord, how your servant is taunted; how I bear in my bosom the insults of the peoples,
51 with which your enemies taunt, O LORD, with which they taunted the footsteps of your anointed.
52 Blessed be the LORD forever. Amen and Amen.
(NRSV)
Remember when our parents could do anything and everything? They were there to protect us, to defend us, to feed and clothe us. Not only did they do these things they did them better than any of the other parents in the whole, wide world. At some point we realize that they have their limits, that they are not omnipotent, they are not perfect. For some of us, our parents become an embarrassment. More time passes and we begin to see that our parents are pretty wise and wonderful even though they have their limits. Many of us go through the same process with God.
We see God as able to do anything and everything, especially the things we want, the things that will make our lives easier, better and more fun. Then something happens. We ask God for something and it doesn’t happen. We are hurt and angry. We do our best to change something in the equation to keep our equilibrium. That doesn’t work either. I have found that it is much more fulfilling to see God as present rather than powerful, as loving instead of angry, as hospitable rather than hostile. God is not out to get us, not out to make our lives miserable and willing to be with us in all those times when things do not go according to our plan. When things do not go according to our plan we see God as a source of comfort in our suffering rather than the cause of all those things.
Is God with us? Yes. Does God protect us from all harm? No. Is God the cause of all the harm that befalls us or all the good that happens to and around us? No. God gathers us into loving arms and holds us as securely as we will allow. God offers us comfort through being present with us; not necessarily changing the situation at all, except by being with us. Sometimes knowing we are not alone makes all the difference in the world.
October 20, 2014
LCM
Monday, October 13, 2014
Psalm Meditation 748
Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
October 19, 2014
Psalm 12
1 Help, O LORD, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind.
2 They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,
4 those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own—who is our master?”
5 “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the LORD; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.”
6 The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
7 You, O LORD, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever.
8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.
(NRSV)
I take some comfort in knowing that folks have been voicing these complaints for generations. We bemoan the loss of faith, the loss of godliness, the loss of humility and the ignoring of the poor by those who have the power to do something to change these issues. It serves as a reminder that while God loves those with money, power and influence, the primary sphere of concern is among those who are left out of the upper echelons of society. Those who have money, power and influence have no need of an advocate; they are able to care for themselves and meet their own needs. It is those who are left out, pushed out and marginalized who need God.
God does work among the rich and powerful. God works by reminding each of us that just because we can take advantage of another doesn’t mean it is a good idea to do it. God pokes and prods us to look at life from the vantage point of the one we would otherwise dismiss as unworthy of our care and attention. We don’t always get it right as we look to the needs of others, however it is good to consider the other so that one day we think to meet one of ‘those’ people, build a relationship with them and ask how we might better meet each other’s needs.
God continues to work among us, even when we are tempted to use any power and influence we may have to our own advantage over those who have less. God continues to give hope and help and worth to those who would not otherwise have any and works among the powerful as a reminder to care for those in need despite the temptation to leave them behind as unnecessary and burdensome. The presence of God among serves to protect us from the vileness that tempts us on every side.
October 13, 2014
LCM
Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
October 19, 2014
Psalm 12
1 Help, O LORD, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind.
2 They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,
4 those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own—who is our master?”
5 “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the LORD; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.”
6 The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
7 You, O LORD, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever.
8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.
(NRSV)
I take some comfort in knowing that folks have been voicing these complaints for generations. We bemoan the loss of faith, the loss of godliness, the loss of humility and the ignoring of the poor by those who have the power to do something to change these issues. It serves as a reminder that while God loves those with money, power and influence, the primary sphere of concern is among those who are left out of the upper echelons of society. Those who have money, power and influence have no need of an advocate; they are able to care for themselves and meet their own needs. It is those who are left out, pushed out and marginalized who need God.
God does work among the rich and powerful. God works by reminding each of us that just because we can take advantage of another doesn’t mean it is a good idea to do it. God pokes and prods us to look at life from the vantage point of the one we would otherwise dismiss as unworthy of our care and attention. We don’t always get it right as we look to the needs of others, however it is good to consider the other so that one day we think to meet one of ‘those’ people, build a relationship with them and ask how we might better meet each other’s needs.
God continues to work among us, even when we are tempted to use any power and influence we may have to our own advantage over those who have less. God continues to give hope and help and worth to those who would not otherwise have any and works among the powerful as a reminder to care for those in need despite the temptation to leave them behind as unnecessary and burdensome. The presence of God among serves to protect us from the vileness that tempts us on every side.
October 13, 2014
LCM
Monday, October 6, 2014
Psalm Meditation 747
Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Children’s Sabbath
October 12, 2014
Psalm 140
1 Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent,
2 who plan evil things in their minds and stir up wars continually.
3 They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s, and under their lips is the venom of vipers. Selah
4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent who have planned my downfall.
5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net, along the road they have set snares for me. Selah
6 I say to the LORD, “You are my God; give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications.”
7 O LORD, my Lord, my strong deliverer, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot. Selah
9 Those who surround me lift up their heads; let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let burning coals fall on them! Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!
11 Do not let the slanderer be established in the land; let evil speedily hunt down the violent!
12 I know that the LORD maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall live in your presence.
(NRSV)
Having never lived in a war zone, I have to compare my experience with what I imagine it would be like to be this close to a battle. Today, that means dealing with the internal struggles of being human. As the various parts of the day come to mind I hear the conflicting opinions of my abilities rise up to do battle. On the one side are the voices that wonder, “How could you have possibly thought that you were capable of pulling this off. You are going to ruin your day and waste the time of everyone present.” On the other side the voices remind me that I am not in this alone and that I have what it takes to make a difference. Interestingly, the voices of calm assurance are drowned out by the shouting voices of doom and despair.
The raging war is confined to one side. This is probably true more often than not for the conflicts between our doubts and abilities. The doubts cry out with the volume and pitch of fear. Streaming hoards of panicked creatures run rough shod over my preparations. The calm, reassurance of those preparations seems to be lost in the din of doubts. And then I take a deep breath and recognize that while silence will never overwhelm volume, there is a spot in the presence of God that covers my head in the day of battle and quiets the doubts.
Certainly, some days the doubts win and overrun the assurance and preparation. I go down in a flaming ball of defeat. Even then, the presence of God touches me with the assurance that this need not be the end, this need not be the last word. No matter what, God is with us, giving us a peace that is greater than anything life can send our way. At our best, we give thanks and rejoice in the presence of God.
October 6, 2014
LCM
Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Children’s Sabbath
October 12, 2014
Psalm 140
1 Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent,
2 who plan evil things in their minds and stir up wars continually.
3 They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s, and under their lips is the venom of vipers. Selah
4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent who have planned my downfall.
5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net, along the road they have set snares for me. Selah
6 I say to the LORD, “You are my God; give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications.”
7 O LORD, my Lord, my strong deliverer, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot. Selah
9 Those who surround me lift up their heads; let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let burning coals fall on them! Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!
11 Do not let the slanderer be established in the land; let evil speedily hunt down the violent!
12 I know that the LORD maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall live in your presence.
(NRSV)
Having never lived in a war zone, I have to compare my experience with what I imagine it would be like to be this close to a battle. Today, that means dealing with the internal struggles of being human. As the various parts of the day come to mind I hear the conflicting opinions of my abilities rise up to do battle. On the one side are the voices that wonder, “How could you have possibly thought that you were capable of pulling this off. You are going to ruin your day and waste the time of everyone present.” On the other side the voices remind me that I am not in this alone and that I have what it takes to make a difference. Interestingly, the voices of calm assurance are drowned out by the shouting voices of doom and despair.
The raging war is confined to one side. This is probably true more often than not for the conflicts between our doubts and abilities. The doubts cry out with the volume and pitch of fear. Streaming hoards of panicked creatures run rough shod over my preparations. The calm, reassurance of those preparations seems to be lost in the din of doubts. And then I take a deep breath and recognize that while silence will never overwhelm volume, there is a spot in the presence of God that covers my head in the day of battle and quiets the doubts.
Certainly, some days the doubts win and overrun the assurance and preparation. I go down in a flaming ball of defeat. Even then, the presence of God touches me with the assurance that this need not be the end, this need not be the last word. No matter what, God is with us, giving us a peace that is greater than anything life can send our way. At our best, we give thanks and rejoice in the presence of God.
October 6, 2014
LCM
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