Living Psalm 116 – Creation Justice – Maundy Thursday
Living Psalm 116 – Creation Justice – Maundy Thursday
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.
Living Psalms for Creation Justice
Lent, 2020
(To accompany Journey Toward Hope)
Living Psalm 116: 1-2, 12-19
Creation Justice—Maundy Thursday
John 13:34-35 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Living Psalm 116:1-2
1 I love you, Creator, and I give thanks that
you recognize my voice crying to you,
unique as the Stellar’s Jay in your hearing.
2 Even if chickadee or cooing dove find me raucous,
I will keep calling on you with hymns of gratitude.
12 And how will appreciation change me?
13 I will lift up soiled hands for salvation
and say your name with voice of my siblings,
14 I will listen to and echo their calls
for habitat and home, digging deep with care for all.
15 Each of their deaths causes you pain,
and so it pains me also, connected as we are.
16 You have made me one with your beloved creation;
I’m child of the river and its smooth-worn stones;
I’m descendent of the whale and flesh of the honeybee.
You have made me free as long as they are free.
17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
of more than plastic straws and
18 I will keep covenant with you
in the presence of gull and grouse,
19 in the courts of your Creation,
in your midst, O Earth.
Praise the Divine!
Living Psalm 116—Creation Justice–Maundy Thursday for Baptism of Christ was written by Sharon Benton.
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.
© Copyright 2020 Faith INFO Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.