August 25, 2013

Psalm of My God

Last time I challenged you, as readers, to come up with a definition or a poem or psalm defining their individual image of God and to think about how that impacts prayer and life in general.

My own poem/psalm is rather simple and I sincerely hope it does impact both the way I pray and the way I interact in my day-to-day life.

God, my God, You Are
The One who opens
God, my God, You Are
Opening eyes and ears
God, my God, You Are
Opening clenched hands and hearts

God, my God, You Are
Setting Free
God, my God, You Are
Powerful and Empowering
God, my God, You Are
The opposite of fear

God, my God, You Are
Love Unchangeable
God, my God, You Are
Calling me to You
God, my God, You Are “I AM”

No matter how you define God-God defines you as Beloved Child. Matthew West's song Hello My Name Is... really highlights this truth. Take a couple minutes to listen to his words.

Next weekend is Labor Day—the de facto beginning of the fall season. What new ideas might we explore together?

August 18, 2013

Psalm 135-Who is your God

Nearly every day I read a meditation from Fr. Mike Gemignani, chaplain of the Prov. 7 Daughters of the King. Last week he introduced prayer as a topic for discussion. He noted,Prayer, therefore, is personal. It is what I think enables me to relate to my God…I think it is safe to say that we still have multiple Gods, not in the sense that God is plural, but in the sense that people make of the one God a god as they conceive God to be. They pray to their image of God. Perhaps that is why God commanded that we not make images of God. He knew what would happen, and it did. That is, when people pray, the God to whom they are relating is their image of who or what God is and, just as in ancient times, what they give their God is what they believe their God wants…God makes himself known to us gradually as we grow spiritually….our concept, and experience, of God will change as we change….[and]the way we pray will change.”

Then Fr. Mike asked the zinger: “So, who is your God, the God to whom you pray and does it shape how you pray?” That question is something that I’ll need to do some pondering on, and along those lines, on Sunday I ran across Psalm 135. Unlike Ps. 45 which is for a wedding or Ps. 107, a psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance, Ps. 135 (see below) is all about Praise to the Lord who is greater than all the other nations and their gods.

The Psalm responds to the question of who is your God and what is your image of God by announcing that God is “Great…above all gods.” God “makes the clouds…rain…wind.” God chose “Jacob for himself.” God did this when he “struck down the firstborn of Egypt…[and] killed mighty kings.” Why did God do this? To give “their land as a heritage…to his people Israel.” Further, the Lord will vindicate his people, and have compassion on his servants.” The Psalm is making a bold claim that God, the God of Israel, is more powerful than all the other nations and gods.

Indeed as the Psalm continues we are told about the idols of the nations (vs. 15-18) who are “the work of human hands…do not speak…see…hear.” Rather scornfully the psalmist states, “Those who make them and all who trust them shall become like them.” In contrast, the people of Israel and especially the priestly houses of Aaron and Levi are admonished to “bless the Lord…who resides in Jerusalem.”

From this Psalm we can build a pretty clear picture of the image of the God worshipped by the Psalmist and people. The God of Israel at this time is the warrior who redeemed the people and gave them a land because God is mightier than the idols of stone that “have no breath.” No matter what, this God will vindicate and have compassion on the people, as long as they offer proper praise. Because the Lord ‘resides in Jerusalem’, we can extrapolate that this psalm was likely written while the Temple was the center of worship for the nation, before the Babylonian exile. (Of course there are no photos of that original Temple, but below is an artist’s rendering of what Solomon’s Temple might have looked like.)

So…if that is the God of Psalm 135, how does that God relate to the God to Whom you pray? How would you define your God and how does that image of God shape the way you pray? Maybe you want to compose a poem or psalm about your God, or draw a Temple that would house your image of God…? Next time, I'll share what I came up with...would love to hear yours.
 
Psalm 135

1 Praise the Lord!
 Praise the name of the Lord;  give praise, O servants of the Lord,
2
you that stand in the house of the Lord,
 in the courts of the house of our God.
3
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
 sing to his name, for he is gracious.
4
For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
 Israel as his own possession.

5 For I know that the Lord is great;
 our Lord is above all gods.
6
Whatever the Lord pleases he does,
 in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
7
He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth;
 he makes lightnings for the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
 both human beings and animals;
9
he sent signs and wonders  into your midst, O Egypt,
 against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10
He struck down many nations
 and killed mighty kings—
11
Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan,
 and all the kingdoms of Canaan—
12
and gave their land as a heritage,
 a heritage to his people Israel.

13 Your name, O Lord, endures for ever,
 your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.
14
For the Lord will vindicate his people,
 and have compassion on his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
 the work of human hands.
16
They have mouths, but they do not speak;
 they have eyes, but they do not see;
17
they have ears, but they do not hear,
 and there is no breath in their mouths.
18
Those who make them and all who trust them
 shall become like them.

19 O house of Israel, bless the Lord!
 O house of Aaron, bless the Lord!
20
O house of Levi, bless the Lord!
 You that fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
21
Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
 he who resides in Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

August 11, 2013

Give Thanks to the Lord: Psalm 107

Last week we looked at Psalm 45 and the encouragement it offers to be ‘all glorious within’ as befits a Princess (or anyone from the Royal Household of God). This week the Psalm is 107 which is a song of thanksgiving. (Psalms are essentially songs which were and are chanted during religious celebrations.) What is interesting to me is the way this Psalm is formatted so that 2 strains of need and thanks are interwoven into each stanza of this song. Then there is the refrain of “give thanks to the Lord” occurring again and again as a necessary reminder that no matter what-God is there when we call. (You can read the entire Psalm below.)

The Psalm starts out with an expanded refrain, as is the way with some hymns and contemporary songs today, too. We are called to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever.” All those redeemed by the Lord from the four corners of the world are called to praise the Holy One. The steadfast love of the Lord is more than just constant and unchanging love-it is chesed, the all encompassing kindness and mercy of the Lord that we are called to emulate. As the Psalmist says, the chesed of the Lord endures forever.
The first stanza focuses on God’s redemption of people from physical distress. In verse 4 we come to the first plaint, which is answered in verse 7. “Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town… he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town.” The same pattern is repeated with verses 5 and 8. “hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them… For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things” In the midst is the refrain-the reminder that God is the one to deliver. “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress…Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.”
Verses 10-16 have a similar pattern, focusing on freeing those held captive, whether by their own or other’s will.Some sat in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in misery and in irons…he brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder.” “for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Their hearts were bowed down with hard labour; they fell down, with no one to help…For he shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron.” Once again we hear the refrain. “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress…Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.”
The third stanza highlights relief from illness, esp. spiritual sickness. “Some were sick* through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction… he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.” Verses 18 and 22 highlight two different kinds of food. The people were so ill that they couldn’t eat, but when redeemed they offer thanksgiving sacrifices, which would include foods. “They loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death…And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.” The refrain is a reminder of the One who saves and our response. “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress…Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.”
Verses 23-32 is a little different in pattern, talking about the labor of sailors and the mighty deeds of God in the ocean. Even there, though, when “They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity…he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” Although they had “reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits’ end…they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.” In the end, when “they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress…Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.”
The last two stanzas almost seem to come from another song because they do not follow the same pattern of need and blessing and thanksgiving. Instead they recount the works of God which bless the people even when “they are diminished and brought low through oppression, trouble, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of distress…” Verse 43 ends the Psalm with a reminder which does return the focus of the Psalm to the beginning Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”

Paul reiterates this same theme in Romans 8:28 when he says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Sometimes it’s hard to see the positive spin when something bad happens, but as the Psalmist discovers we too see that God does bring good and then we can say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Psalm 107
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
   for his steadfast love endures for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
   those he redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
   from the east and from the west,
   from the north and from the south.
*
4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
   finding no way to an inhabited town;
5 hungry and thirsty,
   their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
   and he delivered them from their distress;
7 he led them by a straight way,
   until they reached an inhabited town.
8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
   for his wonderful works to humankind.
9 For he satisfies the thirsty,
   and the hungry he fills with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom,
   prisoners in misery and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,
   and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor;
   they fell down, with no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
   and he saved them from their distress;
14 he brought them out of darkness and gloom,
   and broke their bonds asunder.
15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
   for his wonderful works to humankind.
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze,
   and cuts in two the bars of iron.
17 Some were sick* through their sinful ways,
   and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food,
   and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
   and he saved them from their distress;
20 he sent out his word and healed them,
   and delivered them from destruction.
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
   for his wonderful works to humankind.
22 And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
   and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
23 Some went down to the sea in ships,
   doing business on the mighty waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
   his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
   which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
   their courage melted away in their calamity;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
   and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
   and he brought them out from their distress;
29 he made the storm be still,
   and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad because they had quiet,
   and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
   for his wonderful works to humankind.
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
   and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 He turns rivers into a desert,
   springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,
   because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water,
   a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry live,
   and they establish a town to live in;
37 they sow fields, and plant vineyards,
   and get a fruitful yield.
38 By his blessing they multiply greatly,
   and he does not let their cattle decrease.
39 When they are diminished and brought low
   through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,
40 he pours contempt on princes
   and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41 but he raises up the needy out of distress,
   and makes their families like flocks.
42 The upright see it and are glad;
   and all wickedness stops its mouth.
43 Let those who are wise give heed to these things,
   and consider the steadfast love of the Lord
.

August 4, 2013

All Glorious Within

This weekend I am at the Daughters of the King Assembly in El Paso, TX. Daughters of the King is an Order for women and girls devoted to prayer, service and evangelism. An Order is a bit different from a regular club or organization in that lifetime vows are taken. Often when we think of ‘Orders’, we think of monks, nuns, and clergy but there are many orders for ‘regular’, lay men and women. Daughters of the King and the Third Order of Franciscans are just 2 of them.

Way back when I joined the Order as a senior in High School, the Order had a Psalm, as well as Hymn, for the Order. We no longer do, but Psalm 45 remains a favorite of mine. It is labeled as an “Ode for a Royal Wedding” and as such is fitting to all who aspire to live into their Baptismal vows as the Bride(s) of Christ. The first 8 verses are about the King. In verse 9, the focus shifts to the Bride, the Betrothed One, the Queen. The Psalm ends with promises of a rich heritage and many sons, as is fitting for a wedding.
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.


You are the most handsome of men; grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you for ever.
3
Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
in your glory and majesty.
In your majesty ride on victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right;
let your right hand teach you dread deeds.
5
Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you.


Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever.
Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity;
7
you love righteousness and hate wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
8
your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
9
daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.


Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear;
forget your people and your father’s house,
11
and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him;
12
the people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people
13
with all kinds of wealth.

The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;
14
in many-colored robes she is led to the king;
behind her the virgins, her companions, follow.
15
With joy and gladness they are led along
as they enter the palace of the king.


In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons;
you will make them princes in all the earth.
17
I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations;
therefore the peoples will praise you for ever and ever.
This translation (RSV) says, “The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes”. The KJV says “The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.” I like the idea of being ‘all glorious within’. Isn’t that what we should believe about ourselves as chosen brides of the Lord? The symbolism of royalty and wedding is what we should all aspire to as Daughters (and Sons) of our King.

Recently I watched the good old Disney animated film, Sleeping Beauty, because I have always been struck by the imagery in that movie of good vs. evil. Aurora is betrothed to Philip as a child and the good fairies work to keep her safe until it is time for her wedding. Evil is not to be stopped, or so it seems because she pricks her finger and falls into an endless sleep while Malificent captures the Prince. However, in the end, the three fairies free Philip, who triumphs over the Dragon with the help of the Sword of Truth. Then he awakens the Princess from her sleep. Certainly Malificent is the complete opposite of a Princess who is 'all glorious within'.

Similarly, we are already safely betrothed to our Prince of Peace. but the world we live in makes it appear sometimes that Evil is in control. We know, though that the war is over and it’s just the final battles that we are engaged in. With the help of the Sword of Truth and the Prince, we too will triumph! "True Love Conquers All" is the closing line and that is true for us as well. We are more Truly Loved than Aurora and her Prince because our Holy Lover is Love Incarnate!

Lent 5: Justice and Peace and Dignity

  In Lent we are looking at the many ways the Baptismal Covenant calls us to serve Christ in each other. Fellowship, prayer, repentance, eva...