Psalm Meditation 1203 ¶Proper 9 ¶July 9, 2023 ¶Psalm 87 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+87&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶When the starting lineup of a professional sports team is introduced the announcer will include the most recent school a particular player attended. I often wondered why that is, until I read this psalm today. We like to know where a person is from in the event that we might have a connection with them. For those of us who will not play professional sports the question is, ‘Where were you born?’ or ‘Where are you from?’ Do we have a connection, positive or negative, on which to build a relationship? ¶Human beings appear to thrive on connection with others. After the extended period of COVID isolation, we find ourselves longing for renewed connection with those from whom we have been separated. We might also look for new connections in hopes of making up for some of our time in isolation. We like to know that we are not alone and that we have a place to belong with others like us. I find that it is just as important to have some who think and act differently in our circle so that we are exposed to a variety of opinions and activities. ¶The psalmist is celebrating the connection and comradery that comes from living in Jerusalem/Zion, the city of YHWH. In an era of city states, rather than full nations, it is important to know that we are among our own people. We have enough similarities to hold us together and enough tensions to keep ourselves interesting. To know that we are in the city established through divine influence sets us apart from those around us. We are set apart as servants of YHWH more than for some sort of privilege and glory. ¶July 4, 2023 ¶LCM