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 2 
Transfiguration Sunday A 

Why does violence continue 
against the poor, the migrants, the queer and trans and those subjugated by the State?  
Why do those in power get away with their gaslighting s
aying it is in the name of peace and prosperity?

They blow up the sacred burial sites of native communities, 
and scar and plunder sacred ecosystems and protected national parks, erecting steel walls.

But the wind laughed at the steel walls that could not stand when it blew.  
The violence of the State and the violence of consumption cannot destroy 
the holiness of the earth and the holiness of all God’s children.

God’s anointed is called son and daughter and beloved child.  
Their embodiment of love creates a heritage of all people and all creation.

This love will not let stand, anything that comes against the God-Image, 
the anointing of God’s children. 

So be warned, 
you who depend on the dehumanizing, the extraction, the consumption, the militarization, the superiority given to you 
by that which will ultimately destroy your own God-Image.  

Serve God and honor the resilience 
of the poor, the migrants, the queer and trans and anyone dehumanized 
and subjugated by the State.  
Ask their permission to be in their presence, to wash their feet, to stand with them.  
You will not survive much longer, dependent on systems that oppress and kill.  
You will find refuge in the communities and movements of Liberating Love.

Living Psalm 2 for Transfiguration Sunday A, was written by the Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey.

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