Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
This psalm falls into four cantos. Verses 1-2 refer to Israel's foundation story and most importantly, to how God selected that nation as a dwelling place. Verses 3-4 explain that God's presence with Israel had an effect on the actual workings of nature. Verses 5-6 revel in the wonder of how the earth responded obediently to God's presence in Israel. Verses 7-8 are a summons for the rest of creation and the other nations to feel the power of God's presence as well.
Obviously, then, the presence of God is a dominant theme in this psalm, and that presence is of first importance. A certain father went to visit his son's preschool on a day when dads were invited. He was surprised that only a handful of fathers had come. Later, all the children and those fathers who had come were sitting on the floor in a circle, and the teacher asked the children to tell the group something about their fathers, something that was special. One little boy said, "My daddy is a lawyer. He makes a lot of money and we live in a big house." Another child said, "My father is very smart. He teaches at the college and a lot of important people know him." When it was time for this father's son to say something, the little boy looked up at his father, and then he just smiled and proudly said, "My dad ... my dad is here!"
So what does it mean that our Heavenly Father is here with us? For one thing, it means that we cannot sin in peace. We can sometimes do things wrong and get away with them as far as other people are concerned. But the reality of God's presence means that our attitudes and deeds are open knowledge to God. In those circumstances, there may be times when we would just as soon not have God present. But think about the times when we have benefited from someone else's knowledge of God's presence. Perhaps they have been angry with us, and have been inclined to do something hateful against us, but their knowledge that God was present would not let them sin in peace.
Of course, it also means that God is with us through trouble. In the scriptures, deep water is often a metaphor for serious trouble and extreme danger. So this psalm celebrates the "turning back" of the Red Sea and of the Jordan as evidence of God's presence with Israel.
I talked once to a young woman who survived a terrible car crash -- a "deep water" experience. She was alone in her car when a large truck went out of control and careened toward her. I asked her what she did. She said that, in the split second when it was clear that she was going to be hit, she threw herself down on the front seat. And she added, "I think I screamed, 'Oh, my God.' "
"Oh, my God." What is that? A throwaway phrase? Mild profanity? I don't think so. In its barest form, it's a prayer. And what is there within us that causes such words to leap to our lips in moments of pure terror? For many, it is the conviction deep down that God really is present and is the only one who can confront the terror with us.
-- S. P.
Obviously, then, the presence of God is a dominant theme in this psalm, and that presence is of first importance. A certain father went to visit his son's preschool on a day when dads were invited. He was surprised that only a handful of fathers had come. Later, all the children and those fathers who had come were sitting on the floor in a circle, and the teacher asked the children to tell the group something about their fathers, something that was special. One little boy said, "My daddy is a lawyer. He makes a lot of money and we live in a big house." Another child said, "My father is very smart. He teaches at the college and a lot of important people know him." When it was time for this father's son to say something, the little boy looked up at his father, and then he just smiled and proudly said, "My dad ... my dad is here!"
So what does it mean that our Heavenly Father is here with us? For one thing, it means that we cannot sin in peace. We can sometimes do things wrong and get away with them as far as other people are concerned. But the reality of God's presence means that our attitudes and deeds are open knowledge to God. In those circumstances, there may be times when we would just as soon not have God present. But think about the times when we have benefited from someone else's knowledge of God's presence. Perhaps they have been angry with us, and have been inclined to do something hateful against us, but their knowledge that God was present would not let them sin in peace.
Of course, it also means that God is with us through trouble. In the scriptures, deep water is often a metaphor for serious trouble and extreme danger. So this psalm celebrates the "turning back" of the Red Sea and of the Jordan as evidence of God's presence with Israel.
I talked once to a young woman who survived a terrible car crash -- a "deep water" experience. She was alone in her car when a large truck went out of control and careened toward her. I asked her what she did. She said that, in the split second when it was clear that she was going to be hit, she threw herself down on the front seat. And she added, "I think I screamed, 'Oh, my God.' "
"Oh, my God." What is that? A throwaway phrase? Mild profanity? I don't think so. In its barest form, it's a prayer. And what is there within us that causes such words to leap to our lips in moments of pure terror? For many, it is the conviction deep down that God really is present and is the only one who can confront the terror with us.
-- S. P.
