LXVI A Little Less than Divine (6/1) You have made us holy and divine. (Psalm 8:5. Read Psalm 8 in its entirety.) The Psalmist proclaims that humankind has been made “a little lower than God.” To me, given our track record of war, poverty, racism, hate, and alienation among friends and family, this seems a real stretch. Perhaps, we seem like the warring gods of the Norse or Greeks, but not the God of the Universe, the Parent of Jesus... Read more
LXV. The Grandeur of the Universe (5/31) When I look at your heavens. (Psalm 8:3; Read Psalm 8:1-4) The Psalmist lived in a prescientific age. The Psalmist knew nothing about astronomy or the trillion galaxies, estimated by today’s astronomers. Yet, the Psalmist knew awe and wonder. The Psalmist experienced what Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel described as the heart of spirituality, “radical amazement.” Even on a day when we deal with pandemic and protests, wonder puts things in perspective. Every morning... Read more
LXIV Trust and Morality (5/30) When you are disturbed do not sin…put your trust in God. (Psalm 4:4, 5. Read Psalm 4 in its entirety.) Interesting words, “when you are disturbed do not sin…but trust God.” Often under stress, we become disoriented and lash out. We lose our cool and blame others or respond excessively to the imperfections of those around us. In close quarters with my family, I recognize that this is always a possibility. I remember that when... Read more
LXIII. God’s Shield Surrounds Me (5/29) You are a shield around me. (Psalm 3:3. Read Psalm 3 in its entirety.) Once again, the Psalm mirrors our current situation. Once again, the Psalmist feels at risk. Foes surround him – and likely the nation. He wonders if he can hold out for the long haul. Yet, he discovers peace in God’s presence. God is a shield. God will protect David and God will protect us. This enables us to go from... Read more
Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20 With summer on the horizon, the scriptures celebrate creation and our place in it. The first message of creation and also incarnation is that it’s not about us, even in a time of pandemic . We have a unique mission but it is part of a larger holy adventure of divine wisdom and creativity, evolving through starts and stops for over 14 billion years. We may be in an evolutionary stop... Read more
LXII Refuge in God. (5/28) Happy are those who take refuge in God. (Psalm 2:11. Read Psalm 2 in its entirety.) The Psalms are about nations as well as persons. The Hebrews saw humans as embedded in community. No nation or person ever succeeded on their own but depended on the goodness and justice of the wider community. According to the Psalmist, the nation is in trouble, partly due to its own misplaced priorities, injustice, and failure to follow God’s... Read more
LXI Delighting in God’s Way (5/27) Happy are those who delight in God’s Way. (Psalm 1:2; Please read Psalm 1 in its entirety.) We are beginning a spiritual journey with the Psalms, that will take us through the next month or so and can guide you for your whole life long. The Psalms are appropriate for this time of pandemic. They address every situation of life. Some are filled with grief and lamentation; others with anger and vengeance; still others... Read more
LXI MORE THAN WE CAN ASK OR IMAGINE (5/26) God is able to give us more than we can ask or imagine according to his power within us. (Ephesians 3:20) This is a really big promise, “more than we can ask or imagine.” It seems unrealistic, wishful thinking, and we are the privileged ones. We have homes, food, electronics, and media. We have people to whom we can reach out. We are very different from the Ephesian church, which likely... Read more
MEMORIAL DAY (5/25) There is no greater love than laying down your life for your friends. (John 15:13) Sacrifice is at the heart of reality. Whether it is a mother bird defending her nest, a police officer on patrol, a parent defending their child, or a soldier risking life and limb in war, our wellbeing depends on the sacrifices of others. We need to remember on Memorial Day the women and men who suffered injury and death on behalf of... Read more
UBUNTU SPIRITUALITY (5/24) Abide in me as I abide in you. (John 15:4) Bishop Desmond Tutu popularized the word “ubuntu,” to describe the goal of human relationships. Ubuntu means “I am because you are” or “I am because we are.” Ubuntu is the virtue of interdependence in which our joys and sorrows are one. When you succeed, your success contributes to my wellbeing. My success brings wellbeing to your life. The apostle Paul calls this “the body of Christ,” the... Read more
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