Psalm 26:1-8
Proper 17 (22) - Year A
“I never lose sight of your love....”
–MSG
“I love the beauty of your house and
the place where your glory dwells.”
–NJB
We enjoy courting moments. We draw and are drawn.
What are other parts of a constellation of love/beauty/glory?
This would be an interesting way of evaluating decisions so that if we are fooling ourselves about love (and that is so easy to do) that we might catch ourselves on the beauty or the glory aspects of a decision.
If we can’t trust the overuse of the word “love” as a basis for action, might we ask if our decision will bring more beauty, more glory? Will the world be a happier place? Will the ratio of peace and justice jump higher? Will we choose to bless at every moment because at every moment we know ourselves blest?
–MSG
the place where your glory dwells.”
–NJB
What are other parts of a constellation of love/beauty/glory?
As found in Wrestling Year A: Connecting Sunday Readings with Lived Experience
Psalm 26:1-8 or Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c
Exodus 3:1-15 or Jeremiah 15:15-21
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
Questions can be stronger than answers. Moses turns aside toward a burning bush to ask, "Why?"
Only after this question is asked does G*D move in.
A question about who is speaking might be asked of Exodus 3:9. Does the cry of the Israelites "now" come to G*D or is this an affirmation of Moses, confirming G*D's observation of the Israelite's misery?
Even as Moses asked, "Who am I that I should go on this journey to Pharaoh's?" so does Peter deepen that with a question of Jesus, "Who are you that you should go to Pilate's?" The sign of the appropriateness of entering the halls of power will come later - Sinai and Resurrection.
Are you willing to wait confirmation, of that where you sense you should be going, until after you have gone? If so, enjoy your journey. If not, don't go.
- - -
let love be genuine
live toward a better tomorrow
do no harm
live toward a better tomorrow
hold fast to good
live toward a better tomorrow
one love added to another
leads to mutual affection
one honoring of another
adds up to more
an ardent spirit
lives toward a better tomorrow
rejoice in hope
tomorrow has begun
be patient
tomorrow has begun
persevere in prayer
tomorrow has begun
extend hospitality
live tomorrow today
bless rather than curse
live tomorrow today
live in harmony
today of all days
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html
"I never lose sight of your love...."
"I love the beauty of your house and the place where your glory dwells."
Don't you enjoy these courting moments. We draw and are drawn.
So what are other parts of the constellation of love/beauty/glory?
This would be an interesting way of evaluating decisions so that if we are fooling ourselves about love (and that is so easy to do) that we might catch ourselves on the beauty or the glory aspects.
If we can't trust the overuse of the word love as a criteria for action, might we ask if our decision will bring more beauty, more glory? Will the world be a happier place? Will the ratio of peace and justice jump higher? Will we choose to bless at every moment because at every moment we know our selves blest?
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2002/september2002.html
Psalm 26:1-8 or Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c
Among the generalized wonders of creation are specifics: Abrahamic icons of Israel/Jacob and Moses/Aaron who have learned integrity and trust by altar dancing and thanks singing. Mind you, there have been wrong altars frolicked about and more thanks carping than was seemly. Nonetheless, lessons have been learned and decisions remade from installing crafty foes to revealing steadfast presence.
Give thanks for moving past times of trickery and falseness, past time of tests and failures. Give thanks for new ways to keep intact old relationships. Give thanks for soft words turning us from the elitism of vindication to the commonness of compassion for life in all its ups and downs.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/august2005.html