Psalm 145:1-8

Proper 20 (25) - Year A


It's time to "ponder anew what the Almighty can do."

What are the top ten wonders in your life?

What are the top ten wonders in the last week?

What are the top ten wonders yesterday?

What are the top ten wonders so far today?
What are the top ten wonders you are expecting and living toward today?

What are the top ten wonders you are expecting and living toward tomorrow?

What are the top ten wonders you are expecting and living toward this week?

What are the top ten wonders you are expecting and living toward - period?

Did you know you already had 80 wonders in you? Regardless of your answer to this question, proclaim/live what you know.

http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2002/september2002.html

 


 

Psalm 145:1-8 or Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

When the longest working workers finally figured out that "others" who worked the shortest were getting the same as themselves, their breath was sucked from them as if they had been hit in the solar plexus. It dawned on them that they had just been first-lasted. It was as if Psalm 105:44 had been used against them: "God gave 'them' the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples."

Whether real or not, what was felt is the equivalent of a loss. The ratio that keeps me entitled to have bragging rights that night had just been re-calibrated. I can't be the one to buy the drinks because all could have their own bottle.

After doing the work in the vineyard of extolling and praising G*D all the day long, we find, when we turn to our neighbor, we have praise-fatigue. We've spent so much energy "loving" G*D so much that there isn't any left to rejoice with a neighbor who has received more than anyone might have reasonably expected. Our very praise gets in the way of our fellowship. How ironic. How sad and pitiful we are.

So, recognizing this limitation we have, might we find ourselves being better union members. Whether we belong to the union known as AFL or CIO or CHURCH, may we refuse to go to work/praise without those left to fend for themselves. The difficulty with the first workers didn't begin with their recognition of equal pay at the end of the day, but the avoidance of solidarity in the matter of a right-to-work/praise at the beginning of the day.

http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/september2005.html

 


 

Psalm 145:1-8 or Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Exodus 16:2-15 or Jonah 3:10-4:11
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16

Sitting on the shore of a great lake, with a state forest behind, it is easy to note that the context of our viewing/participating in life affects much. Here it is easy to note that when the Israelites of old heard G*D was coming they turned toward the wilderness. From whence else might G*D come? Everything else is too close to the usual sources of our complaining - inconveniences that don't match our projected desires.

For the preacher types it might be worth an intentional relocation of your reflection/writing/preparation time to meet G*D in your nearest wilderness. Yes, that might be a city as wide as Ninevah.

Jesus' story of a landlord hiring city folk to work a day or an hour brings together the rural and urban at a point of tension - the harvesting and consuming of food. At this point it is easy to find a dissatisfaction with life and a need to turn toward that strange wilderness of generosity beyond comprehension. Doesn't real generosity challenge all the structures we have put up around ourselves? In doing such we are again faced with a survival question - to protect ourselves from economic wildness do we need to give up radical generosity that comes with G*D from that same wilderness we have turned away from?

- - -

from the white breakers
methodically rolling on shore
to the indigo line
of the wide horizon
a circle wider than a rainbow
wraps a circle
around my eyes

there is no room
for personal ipod sounds
as giga-billions of rock washings
bring more sand to shore
slowing a stride to a stroll
until a next step
is taken in silence

with sight and sound
rhythmically cared for
doors to a wilderness within
crack open a bit
and with attention elsewhere
being a dance
to give themselves away

http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html