“A God who acts”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Sunday, May 21, 2023
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 (Forward, p. 23) CEV p. 593
I’m not sure whether this is wise or not, but like so many designers of modern lectionaries, those who put together today’s readings chose to leave out the ‘blood-thirsty’ parts of this psalm, verses 11-31, which speak of God’s terrible vengeance against the enemies of Israel. I say, ‘I’m not sure’, because many Biblical commentators feel awkward about deleting any Scripture, no matter what, and feel that such psalms as this are legitimate expressions of how we humans feel at particular times. What they mean is this: ‘haven’t we all wished for God’s recompense, God’s judgment, to descend upon evil doers at some point? And rejoiced when it seemed to happen?’ Just to be honest, I have certainly felt this way when a judicial sentence is handed down that seems appropriate to the crime, rather than ‘getting off lightly’ as sometimes seems to be the case.
Anyway, today’s portion of this psalm leaves out all that, and focuses only on the more palatable things that God has done:
-He takes care of orphans and protects widows;
-He finds families for those who are lonely;
-He sets prisoners free and allows them to prosper.
The truly interesting thing that is in common to all of these is that these populations are often among the most disadvantaged and the most neglected and overlooked. Both orphans and widows, if they had no families to protect or look after them, were especially vulnerable and liable to neglect and abuse. And, prisoners, we know even from today’s world, that they are often ill-prepared to face the world and its challenges after their time of incarceration. And so, God undertakes to help and assist each of these groups.
However, moving on from more general things, we also see God’s hand in history, particularly in the history of Israel. For instance:
-He delivered Israel from its slavery and lead them in the desert
-and when His land was thirsty, He sent rains to refresh it.
These, especially the first one, was certainly a sign of God’s miraculous intervention. Indeed, it is the central narrative of Jewish history even to this day and is celebrated annually in the Jewish Passover Seder meal. It is not something that the Jewish people are ever likely to forget.
Well, what about us? What has God done in our lives? What signs do we have of His intervention or leading? In what tangible, memorable ways as He acted for us? The sad thing is that sometimes we can’t think of or remember anything. (Here’s where those who come to faith later in life, who have had a radical conversion, who remember all too well, the ‘before and the after’, are at a great advantage. They can remember!) But, maybe it would be a help if I rephrased the question: ‘when have you especially been conscious of the presence of God in your life?’ Here, when asked that question, I have found people to be more likely to come up with an answer: ‘when I gave birth to my son’, or ‘when my mother died’, or ‘when I saw the sunrise on an ocean beach’—such things as that. Whatever it is, and no matter how large or small, we need to remember these things, celebrate them, and give thanks to God for them, just as Israel did in today’s psalm. Amen.
Forward notes: “Father of orphans, defender of widows, God in his holy habitation! God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; but the rebels shall live in dry places” (verses 5-6).
“Many of the priests I know talk about their ordination to the diaconate with great fondness. Deacons are called and consecrated to stand in the gap, building a bridge between the needs of the world and the vocation of the church. These were the tasks of the first deacons in the Acts of the Apostles: to care for the widows and to make sure that everyone got enough to eat. Down to today, these vows of service and bridge-building carry great meaning.
“The psalmist makes it clear, however, that this is not just the vocation of deacons. Caring for those who are desolate and marginalized is just what happens in God’s house. As important as it is for us to pray for this vision of God’s holiness to become reality, we must remember that this is the work we’ve been invited to do as members of God’s family. As Teresa of Ávila reminds us, God has no body on earth but ours. Together, we are
God’s house—a living house—providing refuge and care to those most in need.
Moving Forward: “Forward Movement donates books and resources to hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons. Learn more: ForwardMovement/donate.”