Psalm 85:8-13

Proper 14 (19) - Year A
Proper 10 (15) - Year B


The New Jerusalem Bible notes: "God's saving justice blazes the trail; it is the condition of peace and happiness."

Done any trail blazing yet today?

Have any trail blazing planned for later in the day?

Will that come through your "right living" or through forcing others to toe some mark?

Blaze well.

http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2002/august2002.html

 


 

Psalm 85:8-13 or Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b

Sing for what can now be seen as providence. Once it could only be seen as disaster, but now, through the lens of steadfast love meeting faithfulness and righteousness cavorting with peace, we can glimpse a blessing in the midst of true disaster.

This doesn't mitigate the troubles and or redeem the losses. This simply gives us a perspective from which to stand and take another step.

What would this world be like if we had memorials to providence rather than to victors? to mystery of everyday living rather than to mechanical beasts?

Consider what song you are singing. If it is too optimistic, get real. If it is too pessimistic, remember providence.

Either way, lets continue to be a righteousness that goes ahead of G*D, making a path for G*D's presence. That's pretty good enough work.

http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/august2005.html

 


 

Psalm 85:8-13 or Psalm 24
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 or Amos 7:7-15
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29

Dancing David
Stumblebum Uzzah
Beheaded John
Face-saving Herod
Plumbline holding Amos
Fearful Amaziah
Destined Christ
Promised Holy Spirit

The earth (see above for its variety) is G*D's and all that is in it (even the female not mentioned above).

Lift up your heads, O David, John, Amos, Christ, Holy Spirit! and be lifted up.

Lift up your head (__your name here__)! and be lifted up.

Imagine even Uzzah, Amaziah and Herod able to lift their heads, for all are chosen in Christ. Imagine the hardest person you have to deal with. Their head, too, will be lifted. There is no stopping the results of steadfast love and faithfulness, righteousness and peace. They will not stop at such nothings as political promises and betrayal, falseness and war.

Lift up your heads, O Uzzah, Amaziah, Herod! and be lifted up.

- - -

nothing tries so hard
to be something
when all that is needful
is nothing

http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html


 

Psalm 85:8-13 or Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 or 1 Kings 19:9-18
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33

A promise: I will send you to those who hate you, who cannot speak peaceably to you.

So Joseph responds to his call as a prophet, "Here am I" and goes to his "brothers." So Elijah hears as a prophet hears, in great silence, and returns to those seeking his life. So the disciples enter the chaos of the deep, of wind and wave. So the faithful strive not for heavenly stairs or power to change the past, only a word and heart for this day's need.

This promise is repeated continually. Some hear and are renewed. Some almost hear and fear. Some do not yet hear, but are called, nonetheless.

Sometimes we hear and jump into the waves. Sometimes we forget in the presence of pressing need and regret our jump. Nonetheless, a repeated call is available to hear when we can clear our mind.

- - -

sent ahead
we know our own
times of famine
made worse by tired feet
starved of peaceable speech
as well as of daily bread
our insides and outsides
stumble on

sent ahead
without a clue
we take
what we know
and join it
with what others know
silently singing
steadfast love to action

sent ahead
into unfamiliar chaos
we battle wind and save
until we can step aside
from our fears
until our words
turn to healing
for the nations

http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html