Lectionary meditation (7/29/2007)

Lectionary 7/29/2007
What a strange and seemingly disjointed set of readings. In the OT we are now firmly rooted in the fiery damnation of the prophets, and in a rather jarring shift we hear instructions for prayer from the NT. I sat and stared at the readings a bit, looking for the thread that made sense. I picked at the gospel, it really is a good meaty story. I poked nervously at the prophet (I figured the advice about wizards and dragons goes double for prophets.) Finally I caught at a little shining thread, gave a pull and felt the lessons fall into place around me. It is the psalm that ties the readings together for me this week.

Psalm 85
5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

The psalmist could be directly responding to the damnation by the prophet. The psalm calls out to God: please don't leave us. For it is there that the true desert lies, in separation and absence from God. And the gospel reading, the prayer Jesus teaches his disciples is both our plea, and God's graceful answer to the psalmist's lament.

And there is the important thing. It is an answer. Not an intrusion, God does not force himself or his grace upon us. But when we ask, as the psalmist does, for grace it comes. To do that we must first acknowledge the prophet. We must own our isolation from God, we must accept that we brought about the desert. And we must go searching for God again, we must go asking as the Psalmist did, as the disciples did. (Notice that we say the confession before the Lord's Prayer in Episcopal services.)

Perhaps the lessons aren't so disjoint this week, but they are hard. To reach the joy and gifts of the gospel we must walk with humble listening hearts through the desert of our own creation.

This would be an interesting sermon to write, and no, not an easy one. It does however speak to me and I believe it speaks to this parish. We need to first hear the prophet, then we must become the psalmist and the disciples. Impossible? Perhaps, but what a promise at the end:

Luke 11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

I can speak for no one else Lord, but I speak for myself: Come, Holy Spirit. Cleanse me and guide me, inspire and fire me. Enfold me in your presence and water the desert of my life with the grace and love of my Holy One.