Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
(See Easter 6, Cycle A for an alternative approach to vv. 8-20.)
All successful sports programs include a vigorous practice regimen. These practice sessions have a dual purpose. First, there is physical conditioning. Players must have the strength and endurance to play through the whole game. Without conditioning, they may falter in the fourth quarter or the last inning. The other purpose of practice is to teach players how to react. Practice sessions simulate any number of responses from the other team, or situations on the field. The players must learn to think and act in a certain way. They must know their position and responsibility, but also what others on the team are doing and where they will be in different situations. Players must know, before the ball is snapped or the pitch hit, exactly what they will do, what their role is. Practice sessions rehearse these scenarios over and over again until they become second nature.
In a sense, that is what the psalmist is doing. For him, worship is a practice session -- practicing the presence of God. In the safety of the sanctuary, surrounded by a company of like-minded believers, the psalmist invokes praise and thanksgiving. In the setting of worship it is easy to say: "Sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise." The psalmist believes that whatever the situation on the field, praise is the proper response.
The conditioning he provides is theological memory. The psalmist knows, and the worshipers must learn, that it will not always be easy or safe to sing God's praises. Obstacles of many sorts may arise. Unexpected exiles or injuries or wars or social collapse may strike at the heart of our ability to express praise. When these events come, the psalmist wants his people ready. He wants their minds and their memories sharp.
"Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals" (v. 5). Week after week, the worship leader guides the community to remember God's "awesome deeds." The people are reminded that their forbears suffered under the cruel hand of Pharaoh's oppression, but God brought God's people out on dry land.
This is not merely an exercise in wishful thinking. It is an act of faith. The psalmist's community is either already in the midst of a difficult situation or it is headed for one. "For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried" (v. 10). If he can prepare them to think theologically about their situation, if they can remember the pathways of worship and praise, then when the trouble comes, or as it continues, the people of the community of faith can remain faithful.
"Remember," the worship leader intones. "Remember, and praise while it is easy, so that when your day of trouble comes you will continue to remember and will be able to praise."
-- J. E.
All successful sports programs include a vigorous practice regimen. These practice sessions have a dual purpose. First, there is physical conditioning. Players must have the strength and endurance to play through the whole game. Without conditioning, they may falter in the fourth quarter or the last inning. The other purpose of practice is to teach players how to react. Practice sessions simulate any number of responses from the other team, or situations on the field. The players must learn to think and act in a certain way. They must know their position and responsibility, but also what others on the team are doing and where they will be in different situations. Players must know, before the ball is snapped or the pitch hit, exactly what they will do, what their role is. Practice sessions rehearse these scenarios over and over again until they become second nature.
In a sense, that is what the psalmist is doing. For him, worship is a practice session -- practicing the presence of God. In the safety of the sanctuary, surrounded by a company of like-minded believers, the psalmist invokes praise and thanksgiving. In the setting of worship it is easy to say: "Sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise." The psalmist believes that whatever the situation on the field, praise is the proper response.
The conditioning he provides is theological memory. The psalmist knows, and the worshipers must learn, that it will not always be easy or safe to sing God's praises. Obstacles of many sorts may arise. Unexpected exiles or injuries or wars or social collapse may strike at the heart of our ability to express praise. When these events come, the psalmist wants his people ready. He wants their minds and their memories sharp.
"Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals" (v. 5). Week after week, the worship leader guides the community to remember God's "awesome deeds." The people are reminded that their forbears suffered under the cruel hand of Pharaoh's oppression, but God brought God's people out on dry land.
This is not merely an exercise in wishful thinking. It is an act of faith. The psalmist's community is either already in the midst of a difficult situation or it is headed for one. "For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried" (v. 10). If he can prepare them to think theologically about their situation, if they can remember the pathways of worship and praise, then when the trouble comes, or as it continues, the people of the community of faith can remain faithful.
"Remember," the worship leader intones. "Remember, and praise while it is easy, so that when your day of trouble comes you will continue to remember and will be able to praise."
-- J. E.
