Saturday - First Week of Advent
From The Divine Hours (p. 321-2), by Phyllis Tickle:
The Vespers (Evening Prayer) Psalm
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing to your name, O Most High.
But the LORD is enthroned for ever; he has set up his throne for judgment.
It is he who rules the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.
The LORD will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble.
Those who know your Name will put their trust in you, for you never forsake those who seek you, O LORD.
Sing praise to the LORD who dwells in Zion; proclaim to the peoples the things he has done.
I see several significant challenges here. Firstly, can I wholeheartedly give thanks to God? And tell of all the marvelous things he has done? As part of his story, I think of the deliverance of Israel out of violence and oppression, and the later promises that God made to his people to once again deliver them. Then I think of the second, and final, exodus that Christ has accomplished in rescuing a new multi-ethnic community of people through his surrender to violence and oppression. A community that I have bound myself to, out of love for Christ.
Secondly, do I really think of God as in control? As eternally enthroned and ruling over atoms, galaxies, political parties, and everything else in between. Beyond this, do I think of God as the fair judge, who will render to each person their fair due at the appointed time?
Thirdly, not only is God the fair judge, but also the merciful one who is on the side of the oppressed and outcast. He is their refuge. He is our refuge. More to the point, am I on his side? Am I also - with him - on the side of the oppressed and outcast? If not, then Lord show me that I may join you. I know this because you do not forsake those who seek you.
May we who follow Jesus all have the courage and love to proclaim your justice, compassion, and love to all. For in Jesus, whose advent we commemorate at this time, these become evident to all.
The Vespers (Evening Prayer) Psalm
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing to your name, O Most High.
But the LORD is enthroned for ever; he has set up his throne for judgment.
It is he who rules the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.
The LORD will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble.
Those who know your Name will put their trust in you, for you never forsake those who seek you, O LORD.
Sing praise to the LORD who dwells in Zion; proclaim to the peoples the things he has done.
Psalm 9:1-2, 7-11
I see several significant challenges here. Firstly, can I wholeheartedly give thanks to God? And tell of all the marvelous things he has done? As part of his story, I think of the deliverance of Israel out of violence and oppression, and the later promises that God made to his people to once again deliver them. Then I think of the second, and final, exodus that Christ has accomplished in rescuing a new multi-ethnic community of people through his surrender to violence and oppression. A community that I have bound myself to, out of love for Christ.
Secondly, do I really think of God as in control? As eternally enthroned and ruling over atoms, galaxies, political parties, and everything else in between. Beyond this, do I think of God as the fair judge, who will render to each person their fair due at the appointed time?
Thirdly, not only is God the fair judge, but also the merciful one who is on the side of the oppressed and outcast. He is their refuge. He is our refuge. More to the point, am I on his side? Am I also - with him - on the side of the oppressed and outcast? If not, then Lord show me that I may join you. I know this because you do not forsake those who seek you.
May we who follow Jesus all have the courage and love to proclaim your justice, compassion, and love to all. For in Jesus, whose advent we commemorate at this time, these become evident to all.
posted by Paul at 12/10/2005 09:28:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home