Proper 15 / Pentecost 13 / OT 20
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
-- Psalm 133:1
The inability of people of faith to avoid division among themselves continues to weaken our witness of God's goodness in the world. In this psalm, there was a celebration of the blessing of community. In the second story of creation, there is a recognition that it is not good for humans to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Jesus summarized the law in the great commandment that declares all of reality is expressed in love of God and love of neighbor. We demonstrate the power of sin when we fail to live together in unity. The imagery that the psalmist used to illustrate the blessing of community was drawn from the physical realities of their lives.
In the Middle East, with its dry climate, it was a sign of hospitality to anoint a guest's head with olive oil that could refresh the skin dried by the weather. Human community (v. 1) is refreshing like the generous oil put on Aaron's head (v. 2). Aaron, Moses' brother, became the head of the priesthood in Israel and Moses' interpreter for God's word. God's will was for a generous hospitality among God's people. The dew of Hermon was the life-giving water that enabled the plants to bloom. Life together was like that precious water that enabled life to flower (v. 3). It flowered in Zion, the place where God had chosen to make his presence visible. God's presence becomes visible and productive where people dwell together enriching and refreshing each other under God's guidance. All attempts to demonstrate our goodness that result in division of community are a failure to discover the blessing of God that produces the fullness of life (v. 3b). We cannot love God and hate our neighbor (1 John 4:20). It is in building the community of the church that we demonstrate to the world "a more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31).
-- Psalm 133:1
The inability of people of faith to avoid division among themselves continues to weaken our witness of God's goodness in the world. In this psalm, there was a celebration of the blessing of community. In the second story of creation, there is a recognition that it is not good for humans to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Jesus summarized the law in the great commandment that declares all of reality is expressed in love of God and love of neighbor. We demonstrate the power of sin when we fail to live together in unity. The imagery that the psalmist used to illustrate the blessing of community was drawn from the physical realities of their lives.
In the Middle East, with its dry climate, it was a sign of hospitality to anoint a guest's head with olive oil that could refresh the skin dried by the weather. Human community (v. 1) is refreshing like the generous oil put on Aaron's head (v. 2). Aaron, Moses' brother, became the head of the priesthood in Israel and Moses' interpreter for God's word. God's will was for a generous hospitality among God's people. The dew of Hermon was the life-giving water that enabled the plants to bloom. Life together was like that precious water that enabled life to flower (v. 3). It flowered in Zion, the place where God had chosen to make his presence visible. God's presence becomes visible and productive where people dwell together enriching and refreshing each other under God's guidance. All attempts to demonstrate our goodness that result in division of community are a failure to discover the blessing of God that produces the fullness of life (v. 3b). We cannot love God and hate our neighbor (1 John 4:20). It is in building the community of the church that we demonstrate to the world "a more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31).
