Psalm Meditation 742
Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
September 7, 2014

Psalm 11
1 In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains;
2 for look, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence.
6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
(NRSV)

When confronted with disaster the easy choice is to run away, to allow our fears to take control and get us out of the situation in which we find ourselves. In many of these cases getting out of the situation is also the wisest course of action. It makes sense to get out so that we can be safe, so that we can survive to face the rebuilding that comes after any kind of disaster. Flight, running away, is one of our natural defenses against any kind of danger.

There are folks who have cultivated another reaction to disaster. They make the effort to run toward danger in order to help any who may not have the wherewithal to get out on their own. In many cases these folks are people of faith. Some have faith in their particular skills and training, some have faith in the power of community, and some faith in God. It may be a mix of two or more of these that moves a person to rush into a dangerous situation instead of running away. It is a recognition that danger and disaster is not the last word in any situation.

God is present in the folks who run toward disaster in order to offer help. Whether that is anywhere in the helper’s awareness or not, God is present in the lives and works of those who offer themselves to others in the face of disaster. God loves righteous deeds and is present in all the places where righteousness happens. Some of the folks, those tuned to the presence of God in their lives and the lives of others, will see God at work in this and every situation.

September 1, 2014
LCM