Who Gets In, a Reflection on Psalm 15

"Who is allowed into a place of worship?" asks this psalm.

I'm reading the qualification for being in communion with God:
walk blamelessly and do right.

And I'm thinking about how Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites for what they would have called blameless walking--that is, appropriate handwashing.

And I'm thinking about the current controversy over who can join the Methodist Church (and all the not-so-current controversies). Who should be allowed in?

Back to Psalm 15 for direction. Those who dwell with the Lord have these characteristics:
They speak the truth. They do not slander. They do no evil to their friends. They do not take up reproach against their neighbors.
And, worrisome, for us in the contemporary world, they don't accept interest on loans they make. Not so worrisome, they don't take bribes, either.

Summary: In order to be in communion with God, we need to be in community with each other.

Daily Prayer, Wednesday, August 29, 2012

O Lord, who may abide in your tent?

Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who do not slander with their tongue,
and do no evil to their friends

Morning
Invitatory Psalm 100
Shout triumphantly to the LORD , all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with celebration!
Come before him with shouts of joy!
3 Know that the LORD is God—
he made us; we belong to him.
We are his people,
the sheep of his own pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanks;
enter his courtyards with praise!
Thank him! Bless his name!
5 Because the LORD is good,
his loyal love lasts forever;
his faithfulness lasts generation after generation.
[Common English Bible]

Psalm 71
In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me,
   for you are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
   from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
….
My mouth is filled with your praise,
   and with your glory all day long.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
do not forsake me when my strength is spent.
For my enemies speak concerning me,
   and those who watch for my life consult together.
They say, “Pursue and seize that person whom God has forsaken,
   for there is no one to deliver.”

O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
let those who seek to hurt me be covered with scorn and disgrace.
But I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
   of your deeds of salvation all day long,
   though their number is past my knowledge.
I will come praising the mighty deeds of the Lord God,
I will praise your righteousness, yours alone.
O God, from my youth you have taught me,
   and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.

Your power and your righteousness,
   O God, reach the high heavens.
You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
   will revive me again;
   from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
You will increase my honor, and comfort me once again.

I will also praise you with the harp
   for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you;
   my soul also, which you have rescued.
All day long my tongue will talk of your righteous help,
….

Psalm 72
Give the king your justice, O God,
   and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
   and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
   and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
  give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures,
  and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
  like showers that water the earth.

In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound,
   until the moon is no more.
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
  and from the River to the ends of the earth.
….

For he delivers the needy when they call,
  the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
  and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
  and precious is their blood in his sight.
...
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
   who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be your glorious name forever;
may your glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.

Daily Lectionary Reading, Psalm 15
Who can live in your tent, LORD ?
Who can dwell on your holy mountain?
2 The person who
lives free of blame,
does what is right,
and speaks the truth sincerely;
3 who does no damage with their talk,
does no harm to a friend,
doesn’t insult a neighbor;
4 someone who despises
those who act wickedly,
but who honors those
who honor the LORD ;
someone who keeps their promise even when it hurts;
5 someone who doesn’t lend money with interest,
who won’t accept a bribe against any innocent person.
Whoever does these things will never stumble. [Common English Bible]

Prayer for Today: Choose from the prayers on Timeless Psalms written by Jean Stott.

Midday Psalm 119:105-112
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
   to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted;
   give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
   and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
   but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
  but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage forever;
   they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

Evening
Psalm 104
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
    wrapped in light as with a garment.
You stretch out the heavens like a tent,
  you set the beams of your chambers on the waters,
  you make the clouds your chariot,
  you ride on the wings of the wind,
   you make the winds your messengers,
       fire and flame your ministers.

You set the earth on its foundations,
   so that it shall never be shaken.
You cover it with the deep as with a garment;
    the waters stood above the mountains.
At your rebuke they flee;
at the sound of your thunder they take to flight.
They rose up to the mountains,
   ran down to the valleys to the place
   that you appointed for them.
You set a boundary that they may not pass,
   so that they might not again cover the earth.

You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills,
   giving drink to every wild animal;
the wild asses quench their thirst.
By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;
they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
  and plants for people to use,
  to bring forth food from the earth,
  and wine to gladden the human heart,
  oil to make the face shine,
  and bread to strengthen the human heart.

The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
In them the birds build their nests;
the stork has its home in the fir trees.
The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.

You have made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows its time for setting.
You make darkness, and it is night,
   when all the animals of the forest come creeping out.

The young lions roar for their prey,
   seeking their food from God.
When the sun rises,
   they withdraw and lie down in their dens.
People go out to their work
   and to their labor until the evening.
O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
  the earth is full of your creatures.

Yonder is the sea, great and wide,
  creeping things innumerable are there,
  living things both small and great.
There go the ships,
   and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

These all look to you
  to give them their food in due season;
  when you give to them, they gather it up;
  when you open your hand,
  they are filled with good things.

When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
  when you take away their breath,
  they die and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
  and you renew the face of the ground.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works—
   who looks on the earth and it trembles,
   who touches the mountains and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
   for I rejoice in the Lord.
Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
   and let the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Praise the Lord!

After I'm Gone, a Reflection on Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Two big things are about to change. First, they are going to be settled landowners rather than transients in someone else's country. Second, they are going to have to make the adjustment without Moses--the one who led them out of slavery and shepherded through the wilderness.

The book of Deuteronomy tells us how Moses prepared these people for their new way of being. In this week's passage that is paired with the gospel lesson, Moses is emphasizing how important it will be to them to remember the instruction they have already received--instruction that has come to Moses from the Lord.

He preaches, "There's a way to live that is best. Following the intent of the Lord is the best way to run your lives."

And he adds, "Since I myself am not going to be there with you when you start making your new life, you will not only have to remember these teachings, but it's up to you to make sure that the next generation hears them, learns them, and lives them."

What did someone teach you that has improved your life? What did someone teach you about the church that has influenced you in a positive way? How is your life demonstrating the way God intends for the church to be?

Daily Prayer, Tuesday, August 28, 2012

O Lord, who may abide in your tent?

Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart

Morning
Invitatory Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place,
LORD of heavenly forces!
2 My very being longs, even yearns,
for the LORD ’s courtyards.
My heart and my body
will rejoice out loud to the living God!
3 Yes, the sparrow too has found a home there;
the swallow has found herself a nest
where she can lay her young beside your altars,
LORD of heavenly forces, my king, my God!
4 Those who live in your house are truly happy;
they praise you constantly. Selah
5 Those who put their strength in you are truly happy;
pilgrimage is in their hearts.
6 As they pass through the Baca Valley,
they make it a spring of water.
Yes, the early rain covers it with blessings.
7 They go from strength to strength,
until they see the supreme God in Zion.
8 LORD God of heavenly forces,
hear my prayer;
listen closely, Jacob’s God! Selah
9 Look at our shield, God;
pay close attention to the face of your anointed one!
10 Better is a single day in your courtyards
than a thousand days anywhere else!
I would prefer to stand outside the entrance of my God’s house
than live comfortably in the tents of the wicked!
11 The LORD is a sun and shield;
God is favor and glory.
The LORD gives—doesn’t withhold!—good things
to those who walk with integrity.
12 LORD of heavenly forces,
those who trust in you are truly happy!
[Common English Bible]

Psalm 65
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion;
   and to you shall vows be performed,
O you who answer prayer!
   To you all flesh shall come.

When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,
   you forgive our transgressions.

Happy are those whom you choose
   and bring near to live in your courts.
We shall be satisfied with the goodness
   of your house, your holy temple.

By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
   O God of our salvation;
you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
   and of the farthest seas.
By your strength you established the mountains;
you are girded with might.
You silence the roaring of the seas,
   the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.

Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds
   are awed by your signs;
you make the gateways of the morning
   and the evening shout for joy.
You visit the earth and water it,
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide the people with grain,
   for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly,
   settling its ridges, softening it with showers,
   and blessing its growth.

You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.

Psalm 66
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
we sing the glory of your name;
we give you glorious praise.

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great power,
   your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth worships you;
they sing praises to you,
   sing praises to your name.”

Come and see what God has done:
God is awesome in deeds among mortals.
God turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
There we rejoiced in the One who rules forever,
   whose eyes keep watch on the nations
   — let the rebellious not exalt themselves.

Bless our God, O peoples,
let the sound of  praise be heard,
who has kept us among the living,
   and has not let our feet slip.
….
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
   the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened
   and has given heed to the words of my prayer.
Blessed be God, you have not rejected my prayer
   or removed your steadfast love from me.

Psalm 70
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me.
O Lord, make haste to help me!
….
Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation
   say evermore, “God is great!”

I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!
 
Daily Lectionary Reading, Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Now, Israel, in light of all that, listen to the regulations and the case laws that I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live, enter, and possess the land that the LORD, your ancestors’ God, is giving to you. 2 Don’t add anything to the word that I am commanding you, and don’t take anything away from it. Instead, keep the commands of the LORD your God that I am commanding all of you.


6 Keep them faithfully because that will show your wisdom and insight to the nations who will hear about all these regulations. They will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and insightful people!” 7 After all, is there any great nation that has gods (s) as close to it as the LORD our God is close to us whenever we call to him? 8 Or does any great nation have regulations and case laws as righteous as all this Instruction that I am setting before you today?

9 But be on guard and watch yourselves closely so that you don’t forget the things your eyes saw and so they never leave your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren. 
_________________________________________________ s MT; LXX, Syr, Tg a god so close
[Common English Bible]

Prayer for Today: Keep us faithful to your commands for us so that we may live lives according to your purpose. Help us to remember what the faithful ones in our growing up have taught us. Help us now to demonstrate that teaching to the ones who come after us. Amen.


Midday Psalm 119:97-104
Oh, how I love your law!
It is my meditation all day long.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
  for it is always with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
 for your decrees are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
   for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
   in order to keep your word.
I do not turn away from your ordinances,
  for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
  sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
   therefore I hate every false way.


Evening
Psalms 102
Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you.
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call.
….
I lie awake; I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
...
My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.
But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
your name endures to all generations.
…
You will regard the prayer of the destitute,
   and will not despise their prayer.
….
Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you endure;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You change them like clothing, and they pass away;
   but you are the same, and your years have no end.
The children of your servants shall live secure;
their offspring shall be established in your presence.

Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me,
   bless your holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   we do not forget all your benefits —
   who forgives all our iniquity,
   who heals all our diseases,
   who redeems our life from the Pit,
   who crowns us with steadfast love and mercy,
   who satisfies us with good as long as we live
        so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works vindication and justice
   for all who are oppressed.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

You will not always accuse, nor will you keep your anger forever.
You do not deal with us according to our sins,
   nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
   so great is your steadfast love toward those who fear you;
   as far as the east is from the west,
   so far you removes our transgressions from us.

As a parent has compassion for his children,
   so you have compassion for those who fear you.
For you know how we were made; you remember that we are dust.
As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
   for the wind passes over it,
   and it is gone,
   and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is
   from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear you,
   and your righteousness to children’s children,
   to those who keep your covenant
        and remember to do your commandments.
You have established your throne in the heavens,
   and your kingdom rules over all.….
Bless the Lord, O my soul.