Psalm 25:1-9
Proper 21 (26) - Year A
“Integrity and generosity are marks of Yahweh...” –NJB
These are issues we need to focus on, again and again.
What does it mean to have integrity? My Webster’s Third New International Dictionary lists as its first definition: “An unimpaired or unmarred condition: entire correspondence with an original condition.” We are creation-centered. We listen for the refrain, “It is good.” We measure ourselves against what we understand G*D’s intention for creation was (not how far we have fallen short). We encourage everyone to work together. We are like the prophets, always returning to creation as our plumb-line.
And generosity? Try this same dictionary’s definition: “Liberality in spirit or act.” There is an expansiveness here that goes beyond definitions of the status quo. This may have something to do with the line “be fruitful and multiply.” If it does, that means more than literal procreation. There is also a suggestion of working from a mind and heart-set of abundance rather than scarcity. We have enough experience of G*D’s merciful hospitality toward ourselves that we can let our cups overflow with this same generosity toward others.
Keep practicing. Keep encouraging others to so practice.
As found in Wrestling Year A: Connecting Sunday Readings with Lived Experience
Psalm 25:1-9
"Integrity and generosity are marks of Yahweh..." (NJB)
These are the issues we need to focus on, again and again.
What does it mean to have integrity? My dictionary lists as its first definition: "An unimpaired or unmarred condition: entire correspondence with an original condition." We are creation-centered. We listen for the refrain, "It is good." We measure ourselves against what we understand G*D's intention for creation was (not how far we have fallen short). We encourage everyone to work together. We are like the prophets, always returning to creation as our plumbline.
And generosity? How about this definition: "Liberality in spirit or act." There is an expansiveness here that goes beyond definitions of the status quo. This may have something to do with the line "be fruitful and multiply." If it does, that means more than literal procreation. There is also a suggestion of working from a mind and heart-set of abundance rather than scarcity. We have enough experience of G*D's merciful hospitality toward ourselves that we can let our cups overflow with this same generosity toward others.
Keep practicing. Keep encouraging others to so practice.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2002/september2002.html
Psalm 25:1-9 or Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
To continue the human / divine intersection for yet another moment. Does one lift up one's own soul, or is one's own soul made to be lifted up by G*D? Where do you put your trust, your authority?
This debate has bedeviled us from the beginning. We are free partners authorized to lift up our soul. We are mere creatures under a tight leash.
Different folks have different reasons for their orientation -- from being hardwired one way or the other to having formative experiences which have nurtured or pruned their arc of life.
I expect most folks here to have some understanding of the both/and approach to living and loving. With identified leanings in one direction or the other we yet affirm the mystery of soul lifting. May you find your soul lifted (howsome'er such occurs) and may you be found lifting the souls of others (by what means are available).
Can you see this as an Olympic event and yourself taking the bronze medal in soul-lifting? Bronze because you're so humble. What would a congregation look like that endeavored to take part in mutual soul-lifting?
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/september2005.html
Psalm 25:1-9 or Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Exodus 17:1-7 or Ezekiel 18:1-4, 24-32
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32
An intriguing image of G*D is presented in Philippians -- an emptying G*D [?in distinction to a creating G*D, or are these integrally bound?] If you substitute Moses for Jesus Christ and then look back at Exodus you can catch a glimpse of this emptying G*D.
See again where G*D is - in front of Moses - where Moses will strike (unless he swats at a rock behind him). Can you see G*D facing Moses (no backside here) and saying, "Strike through me." Would you have the courage and humility of Moses to strike G*D to strike water for the people? Whether anyone else could be witness to this or not, Moses understood he was to strike G*D that the waters from beyond (that had been pent up at Creation and again in Noah's time) might surface through G*D, through Horeb, through a suffering and emptying of G*D.
Where are you called to strike that life-giving water might flow? Does it feel like you would have to muster more strength and humility than you have, to do so? Does not G*D always need to be bruised for life to flow? Do we always need to work through our own resistance to striking G*D that we might grow the next stage of our journey?
= = = = = = =
obey this why don't you
here it comes our difficulty
work out your own salvation
not someone else's
work it out in the absence of G*D
not for G*D's good pleasure
for your own
this is G*D's pleasure too
obey this past pleasure
again a difficulty
work with your fear and trembling
not someone else's
work in the presence of G*D
enabling with pleasure
a willingness to face fear
our pleasure too