Easter 2
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes,
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.
Alternate Image
The Singer's sister comes for a visit. They greet each other
with tremendous hugs and kisses. Over a cup of tea they share
with each other tidbits of their lives. Later they wash each
other's hair with rich shampoo, massaging each other's scalp with
tender care. Still later they cook a meal in the Singer's
kitchen. They bash pots and pans about and reminisce about their
youth and their mother's kitchen. Over an exquisite meal with
savory wine they talk about husbands, work, children, aunts and
uncles, and friends. Hand in hand they leave to go to an evening
service where they are greeted by more brothers and sisters.
Worship is sweet as a family of voices sing in exquisite harmony.
Reflection
How easy it is to say, "What the world needs now is love,
sweet love," or "We all need to love each other." Beautiful
sentiments that are safe and innocuous. It is easy to profess
love for all our brothers and sisters, all humankind, but often
difficult to love a single brother or sister. But that is where
love becomes a concrete reality. When we truly love a sister or
brother, it teaches us what loving is all about -- to love and to
accept each other as we are. Real brotherly or sisterly love is
learning to love unconditionally. That illustrates for us how God
loves us and leads us to love others. And as our concept of
family increases, so does our love. God loves universally, for
all are God's children. We learn to do the same one brother and
sister at a time.
when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes,
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.
Alternate Image
The Singer's sister comes for a visit. They greet each other
with tremendous hugs and kisses. Over a cup of tea they share
with each other tidbits of their lives. Later they wash each
other's hair with rich shampoo, massaging each other's scalp with
tender care. Still later they cook a meal in the Singer's
kitchen. They bash pots and pans about and reminisce about their
youth and their mother's kitchen. Over an exquisite meal with
savory wine they talk about husbands, work, children, aunts and
uncles, and friends. Hand in hand they leave to go to an evening
service where they are greeted by more brothers and sisters.
Worship is sweet as a family of voices sing in exquisite harmony.
Reflection
How easy it is to say, "What the world needs now is love,
sweet love," or "We all need to love each other." Beautiful
sentiments that are safe and innocuous. It is easy to profess
love for all our brothers and sisters, all humankind, but often
difficult to love a single brother or sister. But that is where
love becomes a concrete reality. When we truly love a sister or
brother, it teaches us what loving is all about -- to love and to
accept each other as we are. Real brotherly or sisterly love is
learning to love unconditionally. That illustrates for us how God
loves us and leads us to love others. And as our concept of
family increases, so does our love. God loves universally, for
all are God's children. We learn to do the same one brother and
sister at a time.
