Epiphany 7
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper on their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret - it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be
there.
But the meek shall inherit the land,
and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
Alternate Image
The Singer teaches a class at the Qumran commune. She teaches three songs to eager students. The first song sooths. It eases their frenetic activity. The verses alleviate their worry that bullies may always get their way. She calms them with a cheery melody and extends their vision beyond the playground to the keeper of the playground who ensures that those who play fair will win. The students smile their trust. The next song tells them to play with exuberance and abandon. She sings that those who worry about being hurt are likely to be hurt and those who don't worry are more likely to escape injury and will enjoy the game more. She tells them the creator of their games made rules so they can have the most fun possible. Follow the rules, commit yourself to the game-maker and you will have the greatest enjoyment. The final song tells them whether in class or on the playground to expect the best and that is what they will receive. If they get angry with each other and fight they will miss the joy of the lesson and the lesson of the game. Those who insist upon fighting and playing unfair will be expelled from the classroom and playground. The children giggle, hold hands and sing with the teacher-Singer while God leads the choir of life.
Reflection
Where is Attila the Hun? Where is Hitler? Where lie those who would conquer the world? Where are those who would remake the world to bend to their purpose? Where are those who deny God's providence? Where are those who create misery for others? They lie in the graves. Their ambitions have been thwarted. Their victories are short and the world moves on according to God's plan. That is the lesson, the revelation of God's history. That is the homily of faith. That truth enables us to be confident, empowers us to throw ourselves into the game of life with great abandon. That knowledge aids us to commit ourselves without reservation to God's will. That power fuels our hope. Faith provides more zest than bathsoap, more gusto than beer, more security than a rock. It makes you feel like life-singing.
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper on their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret - it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be
there.
But the meek shall inherit the land,
and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
Alternate Image
The Singer teaches a class at the Qumran commune. She teaches three songs to eager students. The first song sooths. It eases their frenetic activity. The verses alleviate their worry that bullies may always get their way. She calms them with a cheery melody and extends their vision beyond the playground to the keeper of the playground who ensures that those who play fair will win. The students smile their trust. The next song tells them to play with exuberance and abandon. She sings that those who worry about being hurt are likely to be hurt and those who don't worry are more likely to escape injury and will enjoy the game more. She tells them the creator of their games made rules so they can have the most fun possible. Follow the rules, commit yourself to the game-maker and you will have the greatest enjoyment. The final song tells them whether in class or on the playground to expect the best and that is what they will receive. If they get angry with each other and fight they will miss the joy of the lesson and the lesson of the game. Those who insist upon fighting and playing unfair will be expelled from the classroom and playground. The children giggle, hold hands and sing with the teacher-Singer while God leads the choir of life.
Reflection
Where is Attila the Hun? Where is Hitler? Where lie those who would conquer the world? Where are those who would remake the world to bend to their purpose? Where are those who deny God's providence? Where are those who create misery for others? They lie in the graves. Their ambitions have been thwarted. Their victories are short and the world moves on according to God's plan. That is the lesson, the revelation of God's history. That is the homily of faith. That truth enables us to be confident, empowers us to throw ourselves into the game of life with great abandon. That knowledge aids us to commit ourselves without reservation to God's will. That power fuels our hope. Faith provides more zest than bathsoap, more gusto than beer, more security than a rock. It makes you feel like life-singing.
