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 116: Pentecost 2 (A)

Psalm 116: 1-2, 12-19
 What can I give back to the Lord
    for all the good things God has done for me?
 I’ll lift up the cup of salvation.
    I’ll call on the Lord’s name.
 I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord
    in the presence of all God’s people.
 The death of the Lord’s faithful
    is a costly loss in God’s eyes.

It is not God who is stingy 
with the gift of Grace.
God gives freely with the right hand 
and the left. It is we who hold back, 
who make promises to God’s beloved - 
our neighbors - that we don’t intend to keep. 

Yes, even those whom we hate, 
who use their power to oppress 
and their voices to sow fear - 
even they are beloved children 
we are asked to tend. 

God doesn’t ask too much.
God doesn’t want us to love violence, 
or support self-importance.
God doesn’t suggest we give up 
on justice and righteousness.
God simply asks that we lift up
that cup of salvation and extend it to all: 

to make note on our hearts every death 
that could be prevented, every slur 
that could be erased, and every cruel 
and selfish act that could be exchanged
for the persistent action of Love. 

It is never too late to keep the promises  
we’ve made. We do not earn Love, 
but instead share God’s grace with exuberance
in thanksgiving for the privilege of being free.
 
We have been gifted these bodies to work, 
and these hearts to love, and these minds
to know the difference between what is wrong 
and what is good. This is the cost of calling ourselves
God’s people. For this the cup gives us strength.

Living Psalm 116 for Pentecost 2 (A) 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.  

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