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Psalm 2  New English Translation

Why do the nations rebel?
Why are the countries devising plots that will fail?
The kings of the earth form a united front;
the rulers collaborate
against the Lord and his anointed king.
They say, “Let’s tear off the shackles they’ve put on us.
Let’s free ourselves from their ropes.”
The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust;
the Lord taunts them.
Then he angrily speaks to them
and terrifies them in his rage, saying,
“I myself have installed my king
on Zion, my holy hill.”
The king says, “I will announce the Lord’s decree. He said to me:
‘You are my son. This very day I have become your father.
Ask me,
and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the ends of the earth as your personal property.
You will break them with an iron scepter;
you will smash them like a potter’s jar.’”
So now, you kings, do what is wise;
you rulers of the earth, submit to correction.
Serve the Lord in fear.
Repent in terror.
Give sincere homage.
Otherwise he will be angry,
and you will die because of your behavior,
when his anger quickly ignites.
How blessed are all who take shelter in him!

Reflection

Creator: prill | Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Copyright: Achim Prill

     It isn't my favorite Psalm, but there are some good things to consider. First of all, reading the Bible is not meant to be a recipe book of truths to find. I recently heard a Rabbi describe on social media that we read the Hebrew Bible to discover meaning. There are a great deal of moments and sections that have tensions and unexpected outcomes that are meant to give us pause, wonder, and mystery.

     So, even though this Psalm is pushing the national pride of being God's people, that isn't the only discovery. When I re-read with a bit more patience I noticed the obvious connection to "God's Son" -- the title given to the Davidic King and to King Jesus. I recognized that as the likely tie to the upcoming Festival of the Transfiguration. I blitzed right past that to the concept of "taking shelter" in God. This is an idiom for seeking God's protection. This in turn means a sense of trust in the Lord. The act of seeking shelter provided by God is a demonstration of loyalty. Once again, even though the nations may feel provoked by the pride of this Psalm, all are welcome to seek shelter. God sends rain and sunshine on the wicked and the good, inviting all to seek shelter in God and to return from that shelter to bask in the goodness and providence. Another meaning I noticed in this discovery is, "Where is God's shelter, where is God's presence?" These are questions to wonder about with another Bible text.

Great and Gracious God,

We love you and we turn to you. You are the porch, the awning, the storm shelter unmoved. Guide us to become more aware of your protecting ways. Lord, we lift up those that in need of your care and help,... be with all those that are sick or suffering in any way. We praise you for the goodness that you show to us. Continue to teach us what it means to love our enemies and what it means to trust deeply in you. In the Name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Put One Foot Out in Front of The Other

Psalm 119:1-8  
א (Alef)

How blessed are those whose actions are blameless,
who obey the law of the Lord.
How blessed are those who observe God's rules,
and seek God with all their heart,
who, moreover, do no wrong,
but walk in God's ways.
You demand that your precepts
be carefully kept.
If only I were predisposed
to keep your statutes.
Then I would not be ashamed,
if I were focused on all your commands.
I will give you sincere thanks,
when I learn your just regulations.
I will keep your statutes.
Do not completely abandon me.

Reflection

     When I read this, I was reminded again that in the Hebrew Bible, "walking" is a preferred metaphor or symbol for a daily faith life. Walking is certainly something that people in biblical times did frequently. So, I have always been just a little surprised that it was chosen as a way to describe the special and spiritual connection with living out a trust in God. Sure, it is super relatable. We all know what walking looks or feels like. Even those with mobility restrictions can appropriately walk with God in their spiritual life as a hope and reality in the Great Beyond. Those who can't move here can wonderfully envision walking with God in Heaven. Yet, there is a lot more to this. Walking is good for us. Walking is considered by many experts to be the one of the best forms of exercise. There is also something about it that helps you to clear your head and think or just be yourself. Step by step, little by little, you get there. For me, this is the most significant. I think our spiritual life is a long sequence of small works to get closer to God and farther from our selfishness. We make a series of improvements that might seem almost invisible in a close up, but from a distance a good shift has occurred. 

     Even more, what if we not just imagine, but in faith see that in all aspects of life that God is turned back to us slightly with a hand out inviting us, "Walk with me." We who often chose to try to find the closest parking spot so that we walk less or any other of the long list of choices of going in the wrong direction, we are invited to walk with God. Maybe walking is such a good symbol because even when we are lost, confused, or feeling like a failure we can still put one foot out in front of the other.

Great God,

You walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. May your resurrected glory walk with us today and in the days ahead. Wherever we go, guide us to turn and return toward you and your path for our life and for your goodness. Be with all those whose movement is difficult this day... Strengthen those who feel unable to take one more movement. Lift us all in your foot path of peace. In your Name, we pray. Amen.

"Give it to them Jesus!"

Luke 6:17-26  New English Translation

Then he came down with them and stood on a level place. And a large number of his disciples had gathered along with a vast multitude from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. They came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who suffered from unclean spirits were cured. The whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from him and healing them all.

Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God belongs to you.
“Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil on account of the Son of Humanity! Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy, because your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your comfort already.
“Woe to you who are well satisfied with food now, for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
“Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets.

Reflection

     The Beatitudes either deeply inspiring or troubling. It does seem to follow the old adage of

comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. This is very clear in today's reading from Luke. (The very observant worshiper might notice that this is the Lucan version following this past Sunday's reading from Matthew.) I wonder if most readers feel the same way that I do--liking all the parts that are easy and provide blessing, but struggling with all of the woes and judgments for lack of ethical living. We like it when "those..." get their comeuppance. We "mmm huh" and say, "Give it to them Jesus!" This is the great reversal. We are totally fine with it if we feel like we wind up a winner. For most of the world, this will be true. Particularly those who wealth and power has left behind. Part of the good news is that we are invited into the reversal. If we have resources, we can share them and give them. We can give comfort or a listening ear. We can...do many things in the Way of Christ. Jesus means to not only comfort us, but also to spur us into action. This sermon also makes clear that the "disciples" are not a closed group, but includes all who like working in the weakness of love (which actually overpowers).

Almighty God, you make the sun to shine on the evil and the good. Your wisdom is far beyond ours. Your ways shame the powerful and strong. Guide us to live in your truth and to share it in all ways with the world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.