Psalm Meditation 1276 ¶First Sunday of Advent ¶December 1, 2024 ¶Psalm 130 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+130&version=NRSVUE (NRSVUE) ¶There is a tendency among adults to make light of the suffering and despair of teenagers. Everything seems to be high drama of crisis proportions. And that is because it is—to them. They have never gone through this particular experience of suffering, so to them it is the worst that has ever happened. As adults, we may forget how devastating some of the teenage experiences can be. Our memories are colored by the rest of our own experiences. In the light of those, teenage problems seem mild. ¶The psalmist is crying for God out of whatever depths have been reached so far. We may be tempted to compare the psalmist’s depths to our own, however, that is unfair. We have no idea how deep anyone else’s experiences have taken them. The best we can do is honor their experience, even without knowing the full extent of it. By doing that we take them, and their despair seriously. When we take other people seriously we stand with them on the side of God. ¶On the side of God, we find hope; for ourselves and for each other. We anticipate that we are not alone, and neither are those with whom we choose to identify in suffering. In the presence of God we find forgiveness, patience, hope, steadfast love, and redemption. From whatever depths we cry, from whatever depths those around us cry, we can rest assured that God is with us. Together we stand watching for the morning and the newness that comes with a new day. ¶November 27, 2024 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1275 ¶Reign of Christ ¶November 24, 2024 ¶Psalm 149 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+149&version=NRSVUE (NRSVUE) ¶At the end of an adrenaline producing event, both winning and losing spectators/non-participants have gobs of energy looking for an outlet. In our era, folks end up vandalizing cars and other forms of hooliganism. It doesn’t happen all the time and not everyone participates, however there is enough damage done to make it noteworthy. In our current political climate, there are groups of people who call down death and destruction on everyone on the other side of the fence. Given the opportunity to put our desires and threats into action, most of us would not even know how to start. ¶The psalmist deals with the same adrenaline rush. God is called upon to exact the vengeance that we would wish on our enemies and adversaries. We want to step into the fray with swinging swords and blazing guns to mow down everyone who has wronged us. The psalmist, and others in Israel want to see enemies destroyed, sliced up, tied up, and brought to the kind of justice that we long to see. Better yet, we want to stand back and let God do the work while we sing songs about the great things God does for us. ¶God rarely brings justice through violence and vindictiveness. God brings justice by calling and encouraging us to work together for the sake of all around us. The love of God cajoles and encourages us to make and grow peace with those with whom we share creation. Will those around us drop their animosity for the sake of unity? Nope. Will God continue to work in each of our hearts to move ever closer to those with whom we disagree? Yep. “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, [God’s] praise in the assembly of the faithful.” ¶November 19, 2024 LCM

Psalm Meditation 1274 ¶Proper 28 ¶November 17, 2024 ¶Psalm 146 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+146&version=NRSVUE (NRSVUE) ¶Where I live we just finished a very contentious election cycle. On the one hand there are people who are relieved and overjoyed, while on the other hand there are people who are disappointed, frightened, and angry. In one sense the election has determined the direction of our state and nation for several years to come. However, we continue to be children of God, under God’s firm and loving hand. Whether we prosper or falter, we will be loved and cared for within the presence of God. ¶The psalmist assures us that the arc of the universe bends toward justice, sustenance, and freedom for all of creation. The psalmist does not mention that each of us is called to take part in achieving justice, freedom, righteousness, and meeting the needs of those around us whether they are a part of our circle of influence or not. God watches over and cares for and about those who have no one else. As children of God we are given the task of putting hands and feet to the watching, loving care of God in the world. ¶God’s favor goes to those who cannot care for themselves any other way. God’s judgment goes to those who practice selfishness and arrogance, especially those who do so in the name of God. God’s love lives among those who practice and work for freedom for all, dignity for all, care of friends and strangers alike, and lives of righteousness. “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! “ ¶November 12, 2024 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1273 ¶Proper 27 ¶November 10, 2024 ¶Psalm 142 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+142&version=NRSVUE (NRSVUE) ¶One of the prayers of my younger days was to complain to God about being abandoned by everyone around me. It took a wise youth pastor to point out that I was talking to God, and to this youth pastor about having no one to talk to. It took awhile to sink in, however I did grow into the realization that God is with me all the time and no matter the circumstance. When it did feel as if I had been abandoned by God I had only to look around to see all the ways that God was present in my life. It may not have been the exact way that I thought would be best, and yet, God was with me through it all. ¶The psalmist is dealing with a feeling of abandonment as well as a sense that everyone is looking, maybe even staring as we would stare at any not quite human creature. We see in a way that carries no concern for the plight of the psalmist. It is a demoralizing feeling, especially for one who feels lost to begin with. ‘Surely, at least one of these people is only pretending to ignore me so that when I let down my guard they can hurt me in one of the many ways that I have imagined countless times.’ ¶Any of us who have been in the position of feeling abandoned and pursued for evil ends, can perhaps see that sensation in others and reach out to let them know that they are not alone, and that most of us are not out to get them. Those who haven’t experienced the sensation of the psalmist and many others can become more sensitive to the hurts of those around them. Together we can be the presence of God with each other, to be among the righteous who surround those who need what we have to offer. ¶November 5, 2024 ¶LCM