Psalm Meditation 1220 ¶Proper 26 ¶November 5, 2023 ¶Psalm 98 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+98&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶When our son was in Cub Scouts, I was the cubmaster for a year or so. When I went to training, one of the activities that was suggested was having an outside scout leader come in to do a uniform inspection. I invited a member of the district council, who happened to be in our area to do the inspection. We announced the inspection and boys showed up for the meeting in their Cub Scout finest. Our inspector let the boys know that when he did an inspection each of the boys would begin with a perfect score. He also let them know that when he inspected the adults we would start at zero and work our way up. ¶It seems to me that in every situation in which we find ourselves judged we want the judge who starts by believing that each of us is a great example of our craft. The job of this kind of judge is to offer us pointers on how to improve our work and presentation to make our best even better. This is in stark contrast to the judge who starts by believing that no one is as good as they believe themselves to be. The job of this kind of judge is to criticize every fault and inconsistency in a display of superior knowledge, and by extension skill. Most of us would rather have the judge who believes in us. ¶The psalmist encourages us to celebrate the fact that our God, YHWH, began by seeing each of us as very good. That kind of belief in us and encouragement for us allows us the freedom to excel, to continue to grow into the best selves we can possibly become. The creativity of God, visible all around us, encourages and emboldens us to reach for the heights and plumb the depths of our own creativity. As we participate in the acts and adventures of creation we can approach every task with a sense of joy. ¶October 31, 2023 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1219 ¶Proper 25 ¶October 29, 2023 ¶Psalm 91 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+91&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶Imagine if it were true that people of God will never be hurt or killed and no evil will befall them/us. There would be lines around the block to sign up for that kind of benefit. Interestingly, there are a lot of folks who have stood in crowds and lines to be a part of that kind of faith. The trouble is that it is not any of the three Abrahamic faiths. Oh, it may have the name but not the ideals and practices of any of the faiths that trace roots back to Abraham. Adherents of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have each suffered greatly at the hands of others. ¶The important part for faithful adherents to the faith is that there are always those willing to risk their lives for the things they hold dear, even when their sacrifice serves to benefit those who are not in the same camp as themselves. They work for justice for each and all, they work for peace knowing they will have to give up some things to provide for others, they work for the rights and privileges of others because of their relationship with God more than any other reason. ¶The presence of God does not protect us from harm as much as it protects us from being separated from the love of God. That love draws us into relationship with all the people of God and strengthens our resolve to bring peace and justice to all people regardless of their practices and beliefs. God is with us and holds us in powerful, loving hands. We will be hurt, we will be killed, however we will not be separated from God’s love for us, no matter what. ¶October 24, 2023 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1218 ¶Proper 24 ¶October 22, 2023 ¶Psalm 84 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+84&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶When I was old enough to have some say in whether or not I went to worship or some other activity at the church I would ask my dad if I had to go. His answer was, “No, you get to go.” It is amazing how much difference it makes to have a choice, even if it is, like mine probably was, a false choice. I imagine that I was still going to go, no matter what my stated choice would have been, however being given the impression of the choice to go was amazingly liberating. The most important part was that it changed my attitude from being forced to go and sulking and pouting through the whole event to being engaged in the activity. ¶To go into the presence of God, in a worship service for instance, with a sense of willingness and anticipation opens us more fully to the experience. We are better able to be with God who is waiting to welcome us with open, loving heart and arms. As we see God, we find ourselves more open to the presence of others who are there for their own reasons and with their own needs. We can even feel at home with those we might otherwise believe don’t belong there, the sparrows for instance. ¶The psalmist is deeply excited to be in the presence of God in the Temple. Along with the excitement comes the knowledge that those who are present with a kindred attitude are strengthened by the experience, even the anticipation, of meeting God in the worship gathering. The excitement, anticipation, even the desire are not always there for us, and the psalmist offers no judgment for those times. When excitement, anticipation, and desire are present the psalmist knows that the experience will be excellent. ¶October 16, 2023 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1217 ¶Proper 23 ¶October 15, 2023 ¶Psalm 77 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+77&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶When we are surrounded by chaos and catastrophe it is easy to lose sight of God, at least to lose sight of God’s positive characteristics. We feel lost, unloved, and abandoned as if we will never again see the light of day. We find ourselves questioning the motives and actions of God in our lives. So many thoughts and feelings rise up within us that we feel as if we are beginning to shrivel up and turn to dust. There must be something that can be done to pull us out of this pit that has become our lot. ¶The psalmist determines to change focus from the doldrums of the present to the wonders of the past. By remembering that each time God has seemed to abandon the chosen people there comes a time of renewed blessing into their lives. What appears to be the darkness of a grave, may be the darkness of a cocoon from which a new and beautiful creature will emerge. The bringers and carriers of chaos and destruction are put to rout and we are able to see glimmers of hope sparkle around us. ¶When we find the first glimmer of hope, it opens our eyes to the next one and the next one. Our actual circumstances and situation may not have changed at all, yet knowing that God is present within and among us allows us to see that the darkness is not as dark as it seems when we peer into it alone. We often discover that in the presence of God we are not alone. Not only is God with us, there are other companions for the journey who will stand with us as we offer mutual support in the name of God. ¶October 9, 2023 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1216 ¶Proper 22 ¶October 8, 2023 ¶Psalm 70 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+70&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶An old joke tells of a farmer on top of his barn repairing a bad patch of roof. Suddenly, he begins to slide off and prays, “Oh God, save me!” Instantly the clasp of his bib overalls catches on a nail stopping his fall. He takes a couple of deep breaths and prays again, “Never mind God, I got this one myself.” There are times in which there is no one to turn to, except God. Even when that is the case we will often find a way to take credit for what God is doing in our lives. ¶The psalmist is under no such illusion. “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!” There are no extra resources available to the psalmist so the only recourse is to turn to and to depend on God for any salvation that will come in this drastic and dire situation. Any rejoicing and gladness will be because of the active, positive presence of God in this and every moment. Deliverance will come from God. At our best we will see the hand of God at work in our lives for all sorts of good. ¶When we reach the point at which there is nowhere else to turn, we can turn to God, who is always ready to help, deliver, and save us. God does not act on our behalf because we ask for it or deserve it. God acts because it is the nature of God to love us and look out for us. Our asking is more a way to open our eyes to what God is already doing in our lives and to be thankful for the loving presence that is a part of all creation. ¶October 2, 2023 ¶LCM