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 118:1-2, 19-29  for Palm Sunday B

Slow down, stop the running around. You’re moving but do you know where your ultimate destination is? Breathe. Give thanks to the Holy One, the creator of the breath we breathe without us even thinking about it. God’s love is awesome and ever present. Relax the Great I Am surrounds you. Let Israel and all the People of God proclaim God’s love is awesome and ever present. Sovereign of the World expand my heart and mind. I see the beauty of this view that I had not known. The Gates of righteousness open before when my eyes are opened by YOUR GRACE. I embrace this gift and boldly, confidently, humbly walk into this Sacred Space. 
I stop, I look around to breathe in this immense beauty. I fall on my knees at such unconditional love and compassion. Shout out. “I give you thanks. Majestic is your name, Entero Dios (Eternal God) of all that is and will be. Your gates are revealed to the beloved community, diversity, beauty, differing views and opinions, languages of the world, dialects and voices of the plethora of God’s diverse creation walk through them and individuals are knitted together as one global familia (family). 
Te doy gracias (I thank you), you always answer prayers. In answering me, you have confirmed that you are my rock and my salvation. The stone that is seen as waste and rejected has now with the twist of God become the cornerstone. The builders are put to shame. The cornerstone is what God always intended. Never judge solely with your human eyes. The Son of Man continues to do marvelous things. Once our eyes are opened, we can see beyond what is and focus on what is becoming before us. 
Truly, let us proclaim, “This is the Day our God has made.” We soak it in, we know now that it is time to rejoice and be glad rather than asking questions like, “What just happened?” Save us Light of Our Lives, we plead with you, make our days holy, sacred and successful. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God. We bless you. Our God is marvelous and has shared Light & Love with us. May the festal procession be united by branches including up to the horns of the altar. Dios tu eres mi Dios. Loving, Holy and Compassionate God, you are my God. I come with a heart full of gratitude to give you thanks. I will praise you wherever I am and in doing whatever it is that I am doing. That is my vow. Demos Gracias a Dios (Give thanks to God), for God is good. Gods love never ends. It is with you even when you leave this plane and journey into eternity. 

Living Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29  for Palm Sunday B was written by the Rev. Justo González, 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 2021 Justo González II.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.