Psalm 96
Christmas Eve/Day - Years A, B, C
Proper 4 (9) - Year C
Even before a blessed event we affirm the blessedness of not only “the” event, but every event. This sort of willy-nilly blessing is to be looked at quite carefully for it doesn’t allow exclusion of any for there is no such thing as equity, an eye for an eye.
When it comes to confession, it is the contriteness of the confession that is important, not the consequence that goes alongside it. A ritual of penance simply calls to mind that a change is happening in our life so we can return to rejoicing always, even in penance.
Equitable judgment, from a “holy” perspective, is not that the sinners will get their comeuppance, but that righteousness and truth will be set free from their prisons—our fear that we will be found deliberately ignoring the options of righteousness and truth on a regular basis and miss being transformed to that way of living.
On this Christmas Eve we recognize that tomorrow is blessed. Prior to a big day we claim its blessedness. Tomorrow is not only tomorrow, but today. Did you find blessedness this day? Are you anticipating a blessing from an ordinary tomorrow? Profligate blessing before the fact is a blessing indeed.
When it comes to confession, it is the contriteness of the confession that is important, not the consequence that goes alongside it. A ritual of penance simply calls to mind that a change is happening in our life so we can return to rejoicing always, even in penance.
Equitable judgment, from a “holy” perspective, is not that the sinners will get their comeuppance, but that righteousness and truth will be set free from their prisons—our fear that we will be found deliberately ignoring the options of righteousness and truth on a regular basis and miss being transformed to that way of living.
On this Christmas Eve we recognize that tomorrow is blessed. Prior to a big day we claim its blessedness. Tomorrow is not only tomorrow, but today. Did you find blessedness this day? Are you anticipating a blessing from an ordinary tomorrow? Profligate blessing before the fact is a blessing indeed.
As found in Wrestling Year A: Connecting Sunday Readings with Lived Experience
Your god is an Idol. My GOD is heavenly.
Just how glory gets to be this judgmental is one of the mysteries of the human heart.
Can we adequately "praise" our GOD if we are not open to those who, for whatever reason, are gazing in a different direction? If praise is self-bounded, it is praise or pandering?
Blessings on your engagement with creation (including those who might be considered to be enemies - mosquitoes as well as singing trees).
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2013/05/psalm-96.html
Even before a blessed event we affirm the blessedness of not only "the" event, but every event. This sort of willy-nilly blessing is to be looked at quite carefully for it doesn't allow exclusion of any for there is no such thing as equity, an eye for an eye. When it comes to confession, it is the contriteness of the confession that is important, not the discipline that goes alongside it. The ritual of discipline simply calls to mind the change that has gone on that rejoicing can be done anyway. Equitable judgment, from a holy perspective is not that the sinners will get their comeuppance, but that righteousness and truth will be set free from their prisons — our fear that we will be found deliberately ignoring the options of righteousness and truth on a regular basis will be transformed to that way of living.
On this Christmas Eve we recognize that tomorrow is blessed. On this time prior to the big day we claim its blessedness. That day is not only tomorrow but today. Did you find the blessedness that was within it? Are you anticipating the blessing from an ordinary tomorrow? Profligate blessing before the fact is a blessing indeed.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/december2004.html
Psalm 96 / Psalm 97 / Psalm 98
Sing to the Lord a new song: Judgment is grounded in equity, righteousness, and truth. (96)
Sing to the Lord an old song: God loves, guards, rescues. (97)
Sing to the Lord a new song: Remembered steadfast love and faithfulness. (98)
If you had to embody one of these songs, which would come first to your lips? This is almost a personality test and it doesn't make any difference whether that is a gift hard-wired or learned through experience.
Are you into
- judgment on what has already happened?
- being proactive in peace and justice ministries?
- living as you would have the future become?
- - -
Thomas (Reader)
How about:
Sing to God, for God,
the very song
the only song
that only you can sing
the song that only your voice can carry,
the song that only your heart and mind and spirit can dream of.
What if all else
is nothing more or less
than a denial of God?
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/december2005.html
Psalm 96
Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Peace is established with justice (beyond law) and righteousness (beyond hospitality). Zeal beyond our usual limits of engagement leads to good deeds beyond economic gain (no, not just that of monetary gain, but any transaction beyond an expected benefit).
When we have seen the truly unforgivable forgiven we burst forth with more and more forgiveness for smaller and smaller infractions, for our own infractions as well as those of others, until premeditated mercy becomes our standard.
When we have seen humble swaddling clothes enrobing small holiness, we are glorified and begin to see wholeness in larger universals as well as particulars. Our living praise echoes, "All will be well, all manner of things will be well - and we will begin that wellness where we are."
Peace with justice and righteousness is worth treasuring.
- - -
what inner child
yet burns bloody clothes
what standing tree
yet sings for joy
what shining star
yet calms fears
what newborn
is not born in blood
what awen
is not threatened by clear cutting
what polaris
is not left behind as our axis torques
let a decree go out -
peace is birthed
in justice for all
and righteousness bright
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html
In honor of “Peace on Earth, goodwill to all” - - - -
Sing to your N**ghb*r a new song;
sing to your N**ghb*r where’er they be.
Sing to your N**ghb*r, bless them;
tell of their wholeness available this day.
Declare their worth among the human family,
their good works to others.
Great is your N**ghb*r, and greatly to be praised;
they are to be revered.
For discrimination among people is an idol,
but N**ghb*rs are part of paradise.
Honor and worthiness are in your N**ghb*r;
strength and beauty reveal their security.
Bravo for your N**ghb*rs, they are family,
Huzzah for your N**ghb*r’s presence and joy.
Hooray for your N**ghb*r filled with glory;
share with them, listen to them.
Be in awe of your N**ghb*r;
rejoice with them in this time and space.
Say aloud, “My N**ghb*r, my friend! Our relationship is firmly established;
we support and correct one another in equity.”
Let the air be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea shout, and all that fills it.
let animals of the field exult.
In sign of all this the trees of the forest will sing for N**ghb*rs.
N**ghb*rs are gathering, gathering for discerning action.
N**ghb*rs act with dignity to one another - G*D smiles.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2011/12/psalm-96.html
A world firmly established is a world mature enough to adapt, adopt, and change. Such a world will not get caught in a heresy of never moving onward.
In moving on we find a new set of lenses through which to view our situation. We can see more deeply and view others through the twin lens of honor and majesty—qualities in everyone, no matter how covered in dysfunction or adulation.
In moving on we find our own strength and beauty to be affirmed and available in every moment of transition or trial.
Honor and majesty; strength and beauty; exult and rejoice. Sing for joy and in joy and with joy. When we return or remain in these, we gladden the heart of trees and take another step toward, “all manner of things shall be well.”
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2013/12/psalm-96.html