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  • Living Psalm 19 – Pentecost 18 A

Living Psalm 19 – Pentecost 18 A

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 Psalm 19 for Pentecost 18 A

A Reinterpretation:  God is Glor-i-ous

El cielo está llamando (The heavens are calling).
They call each of our names without saying a word.
We are invited to listen not only with our ears but our hearts and minds.

Do you sense your name being called?
There is a glorious truth that requires that we listen attentively
and respond to the Whispers of the Spirit.
Does your Spirit perceive what is being said?
Almost un-hearable unless we are still; find inner stillness.

God is glor-i-ous.  Yahweh. Is. Glor-i-ous.

The vault of the heavens proclaims Sophia’s handiwork in each of our lives.
God whispers and pours forth meaning that touches us at our core,
and even the night, not to be left behind,
declares that God’s Wisdom is ever present.
Universal truth is present in you.
Have you stopped lately to reflect on what the night is saying?
Do not focus so much on the day that the power and beauty of night eludes you.

There is no verbal communication, nor are there words;
Mystery’s voice is not heard with ears but rather within your heart;
yet that voice is perceived throughout all the earth differently based on who is pausing.
The message is being communicated to the ends of the earth.

In the heavens the Holy One has set a place of relationship and welcome
for the Son to shine.
Brightness oozes Love, Kindness and Radiant Smiles
like a Beloved under the wedding canopy,
and like a confident child of God who lives into the adventure
with joy and expectation of the unknown.
It proclaims glory from the heavens, and it links all of us.

Nothing is hidden,
transparency flows from the heat of Love.
The Compassion of the Lamb of God is perfect
and embracing you just where you are and how you are;
just as you are.

Love revives the soul;
the utterances of the Sovereign lived as love for humanity are sure,
making wise the simple;
the guiding principles of Love, Faith Mercy and Justice of the LORD are right,
causing the heart to flutter and celebrate.

The commandment of the LORD is clear,
opening our eyes to see what love really is;
We are called to reverence the God in a pure way.

God’s love endures forever;
our Sacred Rituals honoring the Wisdom / Sophia are true and righteous altogether.
While some desire gold, there are spiritual tenets that are more desirable,
even much finer than gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.

People of God be warned;
keeping God’s desire for us at the forefront leads us towards great rewards.
It’s not about punishment but enlightenment.
But who among us can detect their errors?

Cleanse me, Light and Love, from my hidden and not so hidden faults.
Keep your people away from the insolent; do not let them control me.
In this, I plead for your help.
You are the only one who shines Light and Love upon me even in the worst of times.
With your Love and Mercy, I shall continue to be human,
but I shall overcome my human frailty.
Even though I am not innocent of great transgressions,
I trust that you will wrap me in your grace and smile forgiveness upon my soul.

Let the words of mi boca (my mouth)
and the meditación de mi corazon (meditation of my heart)
be acceptable to you, O LORD,
mi roca y redentor (my rock and my redeemer).

 

Living Psalm 19,  for Pentecost 18 A  was written by the Rev. Justo Gonzalez, II.

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. 

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 Justo Gonzalez II.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved. 


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