Psalm 54

Proper 20 (25) - Year B

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An NISB comment: "The prayer's anticipation of victory and expression of assurance change the situation of the one who prays. The oppression of the enemies is defused by this prayer, and hope becomes reality."

From an NISB excursus: "Clearly those victimized by these threatening rivals use the language of prayer as a vehicle of liberation. Enemies are dealt with in words that express uncensored yearning for God's vengeance. Such prayers transfer anger and rage form human hearts to God, yielding enacted vengeance to divine prerogative."

Both of these comments push us to look through lenses other than our giving in to the temptation of the idolatry of preemption. Can you grasp this as a different approach than that of Western Wealth which claims prerogatives. When in the midst of exile, slavery, genocide, or other loss leaving no practical recourse, this is all that may be left - sic 'em G*D!

This might make an interesting verbal Rorschach test. Can you find David hiding among us?

http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2003/september2003.html

 

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Psalm 54 or Psalm 1 or Jeremiah 11:18-20
Proverbs 31:10-31 or Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37

A gentleness born of wisdom beckons us closer and closer that, with its small hands, our large desires might be unbuttoned and left to drop as a marker of a holy place - a burden was dropped here.

Those places where many burdens drop become our cathedrals, temples, churches in wildwoods, thin places. They are rightly revered. But no more so than where a single burden was laid to rest. Even as disciples have argued as to who was the greatest, so we struggle within and between various spiritual traditions as to loci of holiness.

Wisdom gentles us to appreciate the smallest of new beginnings as equal with the largest of sacraments. This goes beyond issues of right and wrong to a center-spot welcoming. Whether forgiven much or little we honor each forgiveness, each release.

- - -

flames signify
a release
a solid lets go
a puff of gas
upon an airy eddy
adds to an unpredictable
rising up
wavering light
strong enough
to attract moths
and hold bears at bay

we add our bodies
to the kindling
of a funeral pyre
honoring a past
past its time
in anticipation
of a new phoenix
for its moment
strong enough
to call us back
and send us forth

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