Living Psalm 112
The ancient Psalmist delights in the HOLY:
	Optimism leads in Psalm 112—
	a joyful present knowing God’s presence, 
	evidence all around for 
	justice and power and mercy—even riches--
	in the midst of unspecified “Bad News”.

	The wicked are out there, unidentified avatars of evil, 
	routed by the faithful lovers of God.

How joyful the ancient Psalmist, 
	focused on the HOLY 
	and seeing results of their good works.

The modern-day Prayer-of-Psalms struggles,
	doubting easy optimism in the presence of “news-cycles”
	--bad news, suspect news, 
	news “spun” into self-sustaining untruths--

	and the wicked are emboldened shapeshifters
	that exhaust the faithful and rout them in confusion.

How cynical the modern-day Prayer-of-Psalms
	weary doubting, and longing for a HOLY glimpse.

O God, that is all we need, that HOLY glimpse,
	a spark in the shadow of confusion, 
	a beacon to lead beyond optimism 
	into the depths of hope.

	Day to day hope, open-ended,
	not depending on seeing results, 
	but finding strength in each moment: 
	mercy and justice leading to peace; 
	experience and wisdom leading to inclusion.
	
O Holy One, let fear be routed and love prevail
	in your joyful strategy: abundant life for all.

Living Psalm 112 for Pentecost 12, August 28, 2022, was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain of Hartford, CT.