Living Psalm 30 (inspired by John 21) – Easter 3C

Living Psalms Book

Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.

There is a certain scent in the air
when breakfast is being prepared.
You may lay in bed, staring at the ceiling,
listening to a cacophony of pots and pans
in the kitchen down below, or down the hall.
You might roll away from the sun, content to hear
the quiet murmur of others around a campfire
as they boil coffee and heat bacon and eggs
or pots of oatmeal to share as the sun comes up.

You might recall a Saturday in your childhood,
the specific muffins baked, the sound of cereal
poured into bowls. You may find yourself wishing
for your favorite diner, open 24 hours, breakfast
whenever the mood strikes. It might even remind you
of a morning when you woke, groggy and cold,
on the floor of your best friend’s bedroom, listening
to her father whistling while he made pancakes
that didn’t taste exactly like what you had at home.

The warmth it evokes, of that first breaking of the fast
after a long night or a good night or a sleepless night,
lingers in the nose, and in the heart, as surely as the sight
of Jesus on the shore, arms open, cook fire ready.
You jump from the boat, splashing through the shallows
to reach that comfort, to grasp at what has been lost
and found again. Words of thanksgiving tumble from your lips
as you eat. You have questions but you don’t pry.
The hunger is greater than your need to make sense
of why one moment is full of grace, and another,
dust in the mouth, the inescapable pit
in your stomach that this moment is temporary.

Soon, though, the day will begin. You will struggle to remember
that moment between sleep and waking when the possibilities
were infinite, when no mistakes had been made, and forgiveness
was not only given, but accepted. You may forget how hungry
you were, how comforting it was to be nourished and held,
if only for a moment. The memory of gratitude may fade.
You might take for granted, again, all that you swore to see
and celebrate. For better or worse, you are only human.
You will be hungry again, and God will be waiting.

Living Psalm for Easter 3C: Psalm 30 (inspired by John 21) was written by Maria Mankin.

Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community. Maren Tirabassi, editor

Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.

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