Psalm Meditation 815
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
January 31, 2016
Psalm 78:1-24
1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children;
6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children,
7 so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
9 The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle.
10 They did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to his law.
11 They forgot what he had done, and the miracles that he had shown them.
12 In the sight of their ancestors he worked marvels in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap.
14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all night long with a fiery light.
15 He split rocks open in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
16 He made streams come out of the rock, and caused waters to flow down like rivers.
17 Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
20 Even though he struck the rock so that water gushed out and torrents overflowed, can he also give bread, or provide meat for his people?”
21 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of rage; a fire was kindled against Jacob, his anger mounted against Israel,
22 because they had no faith in God, and did not trust his saving power.
23 Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven;
24 he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.
(NRSV)
The technical term for storing up anger is ‘gunny sacking.’ When there is a small slight that irritates us, we believe it is not worth saying anything about so we put it in our imaginary gunny sack to store it for later. After enough slights, insults and aggravations we grab that sack by the bottom corners and shake it out onto the next person to irritate us. We feel better even though the unlucky recipient of our ire is left dazed by our display of anger over such a small event. It is not a helpful way to deal with irritation and anger.
In this psalm, through the full 72 verses, God experiences a variety of insults from the very people chosen and set apart for special attention. God’s anger burns hot against these troubling people. Sometimes God responds in a way that punishes folks for their actions, however most of the time God simply lets go of the anger and does the next thing that the people ask for, demand or need. God does not have a gunny sack in which to store slights and insults. God does not use our actions as ammunition against us, remembering things that can be used to guilt us into the course of action God would like to see us take. God feels the anger that rises in response to our actions, uses it to discipline us in some way and then lets go of it.
Most of us have our gunny sacks to store up memories of past hurts inflicted on us by those around us. We have a tendency to unload them on the folks we hold closest to our hearts, because we love and trust them despite any past slights. The history of salvation is a series of gifts from God, us learning to take those gifts for granted and asking for something newer, bigger, shinier to satisfy our newest set of needs; it is the story of how God deals with anger toward us. Yes, we are punished, or better, disciplined for our excesses, however God continues to love us, to draw us into an ever deepening relationship. Ever so slightly, we find ourselves nudged toward being the people God calls us to be.
January 25, 2016
LCM
Monday, January 25, 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016
Psalm Meditation 814
Third Sunday After Epiphany
January 24, 2016
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
(NRSV)
It is a humbling thing to admit to the need of a shepherd. A shepherd leads without consulting the sheep as to route, destination or duration of stay. A shepherd has limits past which the sheep are not to go. A shepherd offers protection to the sheep, especially those that stay within sight, hearing and some long, quick steps that get the shepherd between the sheep and danger.
We have a desire to have some say in where we are going, how we get there and how long we stay. When we accept God’s claim on us as our shepherd we have to give up some of that control over our itinerary. It is part of the human condition to push past the limits, to see what happens and to see what is out there. Some of our limits are flexible, changing as we mature in a variety of ways while others are not. We want to be protected from our own foolishness as well as from the others who intend to harm us. The ways God protects us are beyond our understanding.
When we join the psalmist in accepting God’s claim on us as shepherd, we make some choices and decisions. We decide to follow, even when it is not the way we would have chosen, especially when it is not the easy, popular or the ‘we’ve always done it like this’ way. We decide to follow, acknowledging that some of the limits we accept change from time to time. Good and bad, acceptable and unacceptable, moral and immoral have been known to switch poles as our understanding of both God and the world change. We decide to follow knowing that God may or may not intervene for us in any given situation, knowing that it has everything to do with God, not us. We decide to follow for the perks because we are human and tend toward selfishness. We decide to follow because God calls us to follow and we respond to the love in God’s voice.
January 18, 2016
LCM
Third Sunday After Epiphany
January 24, 2016
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
(NRSV)
It is a humbling thing to admit to the need of a shepherd. A shepherd leads without consulting the sheep as to route, destination or duration of stay. A shepherd has limits past which the sheep are not to go. A shepherd offers protection to the sheep, especially those that stay within sight, hearing and some long, quick steps that get the shepherd between the sheep and danger.
We have a desire to have some say in where we are going, how we get there and how long we stay. When we accept God’s claim on us as our shepherd we have to give up some of that control over our itinerary. It is part of the human condition to push past the limits, to see what happens and to see what is out there. Some of our limits are flexible, changing as we mature in a variety of ways while others are not. We want to be protected from our own foolishness as well as from the others who intend to harm us. The ways God protects us are beyond our understanding.
When we join the psalmist in accepting God’s claim on us as shepherd, we make some choices and decisions. We decide to follow, even when it is not the way we would have chosen, especially when it is not the easy, popular or the ‘we’ve always done it like this’ way. We decide to follow, acknowledging that some of the limits we accept change from time to time. Good and bad, acceptable and unacceptable, moral and immoral have been known to switch poles as our understanding of both God and the world change. We decide to follow knowing that God may or may not intervene for us in any given situation, knowing that it has everything to do with God, not us. We decide to follow for the perks because we are human and tend toward selfishness. We decide to follow because God calls us to follow and we respond to the love in God’s voice.
January 18, 2016
LCM
Monday, January 11, 2016
Psalm Meditation 813
Second Sunday After Epiphany
January 17, 2016
Psalm 129
1 “Often have they attacked me from my youth” —let Israel now say—
2 “often have they attacked me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long.”
4 The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.
5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward.
6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops that withers before it grows up,
7 with which reapers do not fill their hands or binders of sheaves their arms,
8 while those who pass by do not say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”
(NRSV)
It is a normal and terrible thing to have enemies. They may be bullies who choose us to make themselves feel better about themselves or folks who have a genuine disagreement with us and no thought of how to resolve that agreement outside of violence. This psalm deals with an enemy on a national scale. The choices include letting the violence continue against us with no action or our part or to rise up and claim power for ourselves against this enemy. The psalmist calls on God to act as national protector by beating down the opposition.
In our anger and disgust we ask our protector to beat down our enemies to the point that they are ignored by any and all who meet them in the future. Let them become withered and worthless in the eyes of everyone who has dealings with them. Even when that is the fate we want for our enemies it doesn’t usually happen. It may happen in a cathartic moment in movies and television, though in real life resolution happens more slowly and methodically.
Whether or not our foes are vanquished quickly, slowly or not at all God continues to be with us. The comfort and presence of God offers us the hope of knowing that we are not alone. Having a companion on the journey is better than making the journey alone. The presence of God makes the worst of situations bearable and the best better as we travel together.
January 11, 2016
LCM
Second Sunday After Epiphany
January 17, 2016
Psalm 129
1 “Often have they attacked me from my youth” —let Israel now say—
2 “often have they attacked me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long.”
4 The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.
5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward.
6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops that withers before it grows up,
7 with which reapers do not fill their hands or binders of sheaves their arms,
8 while those who pass by do not say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”
(NRSV)
It is a normal and terrible thing to have enemies. They may be bullies who choose us to make themselves feel better about themselves or folks who have a genuine disagreement with us and no thought of how to resolve that agreement outside of violence. This psalm deals with an enemy on a national scale. The choices include letting the violence continue against us with no action or our part or to rise up and claim power for ourselves against this enemy. The psalmist calls on God to act as national protector by beating down the opposition.
In our anger and disgust we ask our protector to beat down our enemies to the point that they are ignored by any and all who meet them in the future. Let them become withered and worthless in the eyes of everyone who has dealings with them. Even when that is the fate we want for our enemies it doesn’t usually happen. It may happen in a cathartic moment in movies and television, though in real life resolution happens more slowly and methodically.
Whether or not our foes are vanquished quickly, slowly or not at all God continues to be with us. The comfort and presence of God offers us the hope of knowing that we are not alone. Having a companion on the journey is better than making the journey alone. The presence of God makes the worst of situations bearable and the best better as we travel together.
January 11, 2016
LCM
Monday, January 4, 2016
Psalm Meditation 812
First Sunday After Epiphany
January 10, 2016
Psalm 72
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service.
12 For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live! May gold of Sheba be given to him. May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all day long.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land; may it wave on the tops of the mountains; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.
20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.
(NRSV)
I read this as King David praying for himself, in his roles as agent of God and protector of the people over whom he reigns. He treats God as he has gotten used to being treated as king. ‘Since I have done these things for you, will you now do these things for me?’ Because David has been a faithful agent of God he would appreciate it if God would do him the favor of giving his enemies and adversaries over to him. While it may be David who will receive the tribute payments of these vanquished kings, David will be sure to give the glory to God as the one who is finally the one who does all good things.
I understand that in cultures in which the ruler holds absolute power over the people being ruled there is no question as to who owns any and all assets of the realm. The ruler controls everything. However, the companion understanding is that with those assets the ruler meets the needs of all the people. When a person or group misses out on that care it is each person’s right to petition for the meeting of those needs. A good ruler, especially one who is seen as an agent of God, is then expected to repair this oversight in the care of the people of the realm.
I believe that God cares for us no matter what. I also believe that clans, tribes and nations have a responsibility to care for the people who make up the group. While there is considerable disagreement on how that is done and who is included in that care, I know that we are invited to care for those who need is great. We care because of our own compassion and because we have received the care of God.
January 4, 2016
LCM
First Sunday After Epiphany
January 10, 2016
Psalm 72
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service.
12 For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live! May gold of Sheba be given to him. May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all day long.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land; may it wave on the tops of the mountains; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.
20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.
(NRSV)
I read this as King David praying for himself, in his roles as agent of God and protector of the people over whom he reigns. He treats God as he has gotten used to being treated as king. ‘Since I have done these things for you, will you now do these things for me?’ Because David has been a faithful agent of God he would appreciate it if God would do him the favor of giving his enemies and adversaries over to him. While it may be David who will receive the tribute payments of these vanquished kings, David will be sure to give the glory to God as the one who is finally the one who does all good things.
I understand that in cultures in which the ruler holds absolute power over the people being ruled there is no question as to who owns any and all assets of the realm. The ruler controls everything. However, the companion understanding is that with those assets the ruler meets the needs of all the people. When a person or group misses out on that care it is each person’s right to petition for the meeting of those needs. A good ruler, especially one who is seen as an agent of God, is then expected to repair this oversight in the care of the people of the realm.
I believe that God cares for us no matter what. I also believe that clans, tribes and nations have a responsibility to care for the people who make up the group. While there is considerable disagreement on how that is done and who is included in that care, I know that we are invited to care for those who need is great. We care because of our own compassion and because we have received the care of God.
January 4, 2016
LCM
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