Psalm 79

Psalms for Praying

Nan C. Merrill  

    

O Merciful Presence, the ignorant seem

unrestrained in the world;

they defile the Holy Temple, your

dwelling place within;

they leave those weaker than themselves

in ruins.   

Chaos and destruction follow them, as

they oppress the poor through

deception and greed, and

kill the faith-filled who resist.

Yes, they have poured out their blood

like water throughout the world;

may have disappeared without a trace.

How long will the unjust bring anguish

to the loving, to those

who seek justice and peace?  

 

Let the cries of the victims of injustice

come before You;

according to your great Power,

break the bonds of oppression! 

Let all that has been garnered through greed

be returned in full measure with open hands.

Then we your people, those who would 

companion with You,

will give thanks to You forever;

from generation to generation we will 

abandon ourselves into your hands

with grace-filled open hearts.     

 

 

On Sunday, I filled in for a pastor who was out of town.  I was grateful to be with that small congregation again. I first met them when I was still in seminary, and I have continued to return to them about once a year.  This year, I was blessed to baptize a baby and serve communion.  The small chapel was filled with family and friends, some of whom obviously felt uncomfortable being there.  I love that.  We humans must keep coming before that which we don't necessarily understand.  Otherwise, how will we grow?   Too much time and resources are being squandered in rejection, if not worse.    

 

Yet, a baby came before us, wiggling, but completely accepting the love of the mother who held her.  I am grateful to have touched such innocence once more.   Afterwards, we gathered around the communion table.  There, among the young and old, the confident, and the less so, bread was broken once more.          

Holy God, I thank you, and I will do so forever.