Psalm 29
Baptism of our "Lord" - Years A, B, C
"Trinity" - Year B
“May we be blessed with peace”—everyone’s favorite easy answer to the question, “What do you most desire this year?”
Working backward through the Psalm, we find ourselves a-shoutin’, “Glory!” Why would we do that?
Might it be as a result of what G*D has thundered over the waters of chaos since time immemorial—“Beloved!”
G*D dreamt, “Beloved”, and light came to show it. G*D whispered, “Beloved”, and division came to reveal a blessing of particularity. G*D said, “Beloved”, and seed came to carry it on. G*D spoke, “Beloved”, and cycles polished it bright. G*D intoned, “Beloved”, and multiplication arose to show a growing universe. G*D thundered, “Beloved”, and burst into infinite images of beloved caring.
Working backward through the Psalm, we find ourselves a-shoutin’, “Glory!” Why would we do that?
G*D saw creation was good and is good and will be good.
St. Julian saw, “All manner of things shall be well”.
What do you see?
Want peace? See Belovedness everywhere (beauty ahead, behind,....). Thunder Belovedness everywhere.
BBaepltoivsemd (password/code starting with Baptism)
BBealpotviesdm (password/code starting with Beloved)
Whether you begin with Baptism or Belovedness, the two are intimately intertwined.
BBealpotviesdm (password/code starting with Beloved)
As found in Wrestling Year A: Connecting Sunday Readings with Lived Experience
Psalm 29 has a whole series of images regarding power and control. Somehow or other G*D’s power and violence is to be a source of our peace.
This is the equivalent discontinuity that William Lloyd Garrison was reported to have talked about in the opening segment of The Abolitionists on PBS and here paraphrased: Liberty built on a document that allows a marginalized and discriminated against 3/5ths people to be property cannot long endure - its internal contradiction will be its own downfall. From the teacher’s guide to this program we read: As John Jay wrote in 1786, “To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, involves an inconsistency not to be excused.” [Here is a link to a piece by Garrison about his understanding of abolitionism and a video segment dramatizing it.
How is it, again, that G*D can “peacefully” enslave some for the benefit of his flatterers? This internal contradiction eventually leads to the rise of the “Nones”.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2013/01/psalm-29.html
The voice of G*D thunders.
In heaven and/or the Temple and/or the Holy Land and/or the Kingdom of G*D and/or your experience of life there rolls forth a thunderous response of "Glory!" (verse 9b, how would you versify this portion of the Psalm?)
The New Jerusalem Bible notes Yahweh's enthronement for the flood was "the first manifestation of divine justice." I think the numbering of justice can be argued but it does raise an interesting movement from justice to peace.
There may also be a parallel between G*D's enthronement and our strength. When both are at their best there is movement beyond justice to peace Justice qua justice need not, and often does not, lead to peace but to the setting up of the conditions of injustice for justice is often read as "fair" and one person's fair is another's not-so-fair. Cycles of justice first for one and then another are not really justice.
So what are you using your physical and emotional and mental and relational strength for? Might it be for moving beyond the strictness of balancing an eye-for-an-eye to the larger-than-fair category of forgiveness of enemies.
As important as justice is, the freedom of keeping our eye on peace will help us know if we are using justice language to get our way or if we are finding the larger context of justice-for-all that results in active shalom.
What starts as G*D's ruling justice is completed in G*D's blessed peace.
Keep your eye on the peace. Hold on!
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2003/january2003.html
Strength and Peace to you, to all.
We see G*D's strength in regard to both heavenly beings and earthly creatures. We are made in this image.
We hear the response to this strength of "Glory!" We are at peace in this affirmation.
This is communal in nature. How do we nurture one another to connect strength with peace? Without this our strength leads to non-peace and our peace is a tool to build our strength against one another.
Strength and Peace to you, to all.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2003/june2003.html
A very muscular psalm. The parallelism in the last verse connects strength with peace. What say you about that connection?
What is the kind of strength it takes to bless with peace? Is it the strength of the top dog looking for glory and honor? Is it the power of natural strength that has dominion over all creation?
As you are still somewhat connected with the resolution time of the turn of the year and everyone getting in a Miss America prayer for peace for the coming year, where do you see your path leading you? Is it to the vulnerability of death or the victory of election? Where do we rest in peace that we might arise in peace?
Important choices are before us.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/january2004.html
"May we be blessed with peace" — everyone's favorite easy answer to the question, "What do you most desire this year."
Working backward through the Psalm, we find ourselves a-shoutin', "Glory!" Why would we do that?
Might it be as a result of what G*D has thundered over the waters of chaos since time immemorial — "Beloved!"
And G*D saw that creation was good and is good and will be good. All manner of things shall be well. G*D dreamt Beloved and light came to show it. G*D whispered Beloved and division came to show a blessing of particularlity. G*D said Beloved and seed came to carry it on. G*D spoke Beloved and cycles polished it bright. G*D intoned Beloved and multiplication arose to show a blessing of universality. G*D thundered Beloved and burst into infinite images of beloved caring.
Want peace? See Belovedness everywhere (beauty ahead, behind,....). Thunder Belovedness everywhere.
BBaepltoivsemd (code starting with Baptism)
BBealpotviesdm (code starting with Beloved)
Whether you begin with Baptism or Belovedness, the two are intimately intertwined.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/january2005.html
We are called to ascribe (give) glory to G*D. In return G*D is called to ascribe (give) peace to people.
G*D gives belovedness in baptism. In return baptism leads us to remember G*D in the midst of the temptations of life.
The parallels here are glory/remember and peace/beloved. These can be played with in every encounter in life.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2006/january2006.html
May the one (no matter how many divisions we find it helpful to construct) engage creation creatively. Goals here are to strengthen creation and to bless creation. The measurement of strength and blessing is the quality and quantity of peace that eventuates.
As those in the image of the one, guess what, that is our goal as well. Peace on!
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2006/june2006.html
Psalm 29
Isaiah 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
Peace is preached through people's lives. Peace was seen in Jesus' life and invites us to preach peace to others as a way of testifying to his preaching and to our call. In peace, Jesus' preaching and our preaching come out the same. There is no partiality when it comes to peace preaching, each is blessed - period.
So we rejoice when we see another blessed with the affirmation that they are beloved. Even though we know it will lead them to the desert, we rejoice that the blessing given will be sufficient for wilderness times and dark nights of souls.
We are able, thus, to also rejoice when we finally catch on to our own blessedness. We receive with gladness and look around to see what test we will be able to meet with it.
Love Peace with all your heart and mind and soul and strength and whatever other little categories might be brought to bear. Love your neighbors blessedness as you love your own.
- - -
we advise
better to be baptized by you
we consent
let it be so
we advise
we consent
better lies there
but we are here
we let it be so
we give up better
we give up advice
we consent
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html
The voice, spirit, presence of G*D is over water. A slight sound, a breeze is magnified. G*D is positioned to be reflected.
It might be asked, what are we if not water enhanced? Some bone, some minerals, some nano electrolytes, but mostly water and here we are speak and act G*D in our time and place - reflective glory created with a glory of our own.
Over rivulet and flood, G*D hovers. Over time and space, we hover. Nested beings - Christmas has brought an angel hovering over witnesses hovering over a babe hovering over nations hovering over angels. Epiphany has brought us a star hovering over a manger hovering over creation hovering over stars.
In each part and whole is blessedness found. No one remains lost in chilly exile. Baptism of Jesus, yes. Baptism of all, yes.
- - -
virtual water
sprinkled water
poured water
engulfing water
where is the presence of G*D missing
if we go to the ends of the earth
there is water
if we ascend to the heights
there is water
if we descend to sheol
there is water
my baptism is your baptism
your baptism is my baptism
our baptism is creation's baptism
in our beginning is our end
and through it all - baptism
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html
Psalm 29
Genesis 1:1-5
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
Creation moves from formless to formed, only to become the ground for new formation. Day by day lightness and darkness interplay.
Repentance called and responded to, follows this same process. This assertion calls us to look around: what light from today's repentance has come to guide us beyond repentances of old?
John's baptism unto repentance, Paul's baptism unto tongues and prophesy, Jesus' baptism unto belovedness, raises the question of what baptism through you is unto? Might it be a baptism unto peace?
Regardless of the baptism focus offered or age/understanding when one receives, there is an entry into the mystery of creation and creation beyond creation. Relax, enjoy, baptize.
- - -
have you received a holy spirit?
what is that you ask?
it is this says you
well ok says I
and off we go
what once we knew we knew
it is reduced to babbling
pretty and comforting
but babbling still
it is expanded to consequences
harsh and challenging
but consequences still
what once we knew we knew
bows its head to play its part
between the less and more
between the less and more
is less and more
than spirits holy or muddy
can contain without
breaking apart into a blessing
on light and dark
beginning again
moving beyond
have you received a holy spirit?
of course
does it measure up?
not now not ever
and you
have you been released
from a spirit holy
to arise once more?
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html
Psalm 29
Isaiah 6:1-8
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
It is so obvious that six wings divided by twos equals trinity. So we force our concepts into places where they should fear to go.
For the moment, presume Isaiah and the Psalmist are Trinitarians. Note the outcome and who cares about the labeling - freed from guilt/sin blotted out, strengthened people/blessed with peace.
Note the Trinity in the Romans passage: ourselves - G*D - Christ. Now aren't you excited enough to go share a glory of release with those you come in contact with!
- - -
poor Nicodemus
he has lost his metaphorical thinking
and doesn't know where to find it
of childhood he remembers not
only age and size count
that will change, but not yet
flesh gives birth to flesh
spirit to spirit
and both rejoice in each other
where were you born
where will you be born
conceive a womb without walls
life is pregnant with us
should we have eyes to see
and G*D is midwife
so far we are up to 70x7 births
with more to come
for a metaphor never ends
throughout life we play each part
interacting with others
assisting one another's birth process
at the last Nicodemus
finds a 7th next birth
as a bringer of myrrh and aloes
[directly inspired by "God: Beyond the Colouring Book" by Peter Barns]
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html
Verse 11
May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
1) It is helpful to relate giving to blessing. Any giving that is worth receiving will be blessing.
2) What gives strength? At least one response is that justice gives strength to both individuals and communities. This then can be related to peace – also related to justice. Peace is not sweetness and light as much as it is the strength to do justice.
3) The qualities of gift, blessing, strength, and peace are all variations on a theme of belovedness. When we are raised from our dead places we are effectively baptized, we recognize we are beloved by and in the universe and called to share such with others.
When we recognize we have been strengthened to be just and to advocate for justice for others, we recognize the presence of G*D.
When we catch on to having been blessed with a wholeness named shalom/salaam/peace and we use such blessing to bless others, we recognize the presence of G*D.
Now, from the position of the end of the psalm we can return to the first verse and yell, "Bravo!" for gifts and blessings of strong justice and whole peace.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html
Psalm 29
a rain god thunders forth
lightning flashes
deluge floods
thunder echoes
from deep to desert
shaking winnowing
wind strips bare
unrepentance
revealing joy
hard rain
strips bare
Lebanon's cedars
from above waters
comes strength enough
for assuring peace
the simplest font
beneath a wild eagle
floods a heart
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html
Trinity really isn't monotheistic. All the talk about relationship within a oneness turns out to be more closely akin to multiple personality disorder.
The Psalmist draws a clear distinction between G*D and Creation/People. There is G*d and there is everything else.
May you experience a tad of majesty rolling throughout the universe(s). May you experience a bit of peace in the midst of thunder.
For now, know the voice of God is not condemnatory – it simply is and is not.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html
Very much an appeal to the vanity of any ruler. Ten verses extol the leader and the eleventh reveals the end to which the praise is oriented - give the brownnoser strength, blessing, peace on their terms (all euphemisms for rain). A psalm about water rights.
I suppose it would be a pleasant change of pace to have the Fox Network try this approach in their relations with President Obama. However, it is not the methodology of our time. Can you imagine Bill O'Reilly or Keith Olbermann or Glen Beck or Ed Schultz building up their opponent first (without a sarcastic sneer in their voice) to be able to best describe their need for a refreshing shower?
How do you go about appealing for relief? Praise or Protestation?
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html
Even though it is 10 verses to 1, a basic balance between Creator and Creature continues. The first 10 verses "Ascribe to the Lord...". The 11th verse "Ascribes to the people...".
Even with all the praise language, honor is still given to the people. They have belovedness on their side and, with that, a basic core strength that is precursor to peace. With their belovedness, the people are able to stand firm in peace, not needing to rely on violence, even a redemptive kind.
Don't be fooled by the verse count. This Psalm affirms the importance of blessing and being blessed, of acting with peaceful strength.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2011/01/psalm-29.html
This psalm is commonly considered a prayer for rain. A good rain in season is a source of strength and well-being which eases all matters related to peace between folks. Were such a rain to be timely across a wide stretch, some of our seemingly innate competition and desire to conquer all else might relax enough to catch the value of each other.
It is, of course, all too easy to flip this back into an unhelpful hierarchy. Does G*D really need all the ascription, the laud and honor given for the purpose of bribery? Doesn’t a G*D larger than violence find this crediting to cut a deal all rather sad?
Were we to image G*D in another way, we might begin with freeing G*D from our picture of sitting enthroned over the flood. This has a feel of captivity to it that is unbecoming a G*D capable of finding belovedness and light in the most surprising of places - deep darkness and a belated Jesus or any one of us.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2012/01/psalm-29.html
In a manic phase the focus of power can be quite varied. Whatever the obsession and compulsion there is a sense of connection with root causes. Whatever becomes triggered is closely allied with “the Lord” or G*D or some other elemental force.
This gives “strength” for the endeavor at hand.
This also gives rise to the very difficulty of addressing any pathological orientation of a mania. It can give either the insight of saintly moment or the universalizing of a minute point. It leads to both universalism and fundamentalism.
Hooray for jumping off the deep end to change a paradigm and hooray for an equilibration of neural and experiential networks that keeps one coming back to some more solid solidity.
In the midst of our lack of control, may we also find a final word to balance the strength of a mania — “peace”. Blessings to you of a strong peace.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2012/05/psalm-29.html
Glory can not only Thunder, but whisper. Depending on which Gospel story you read the glory of “Beloved” is explicit and loud or intuited and quiet. Depending on what stage of life or mood we are in, we could use a dose of “Beloved” to rattle our bones or comfort our fears.
Likewise with Fire and Pentecost. Each of our moments of glory has a loud and soft component to it. We can talk about some of it and other aspects need the respect of silence.
So, enthroned? Yes. But, common and everyday? Yes. When we can be able to receive and give both the loud and the soft, peace becomes more possible. Peace is not just one thing, it is a dynamic that takes out of tomorrow’s treasure chest that which is better than today and begins to enact it in the present. This kind of peace lights a way into tomorrow through a gateway of today.
Folks in Bethlehem and Jerusalem were too close. They needed angels and magi from afar to reveal what was already present. Folks today are too close to have a “yearning for learning, a reaching for teaching” (life is too loud). We still need a mystical philosophy (quiet questions that reorient, such as that from Abarbanel.