Finding the Extraordinary in Life

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Ancient Songs Sung Anew, center of the heart, extraordinary, God's path, hidden blessings, psalm 128, reflection, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wisdom

Psalm 128 is rather short, only eight verses but rich in wisdom. After reading three translations, I felt it important to pay attention to two of the lines especially. The entire psalm is about the blessings that come to those who walk upon God’s path, following God’s ways – a rather common theme throughout the book. What first got my attention was the second line of verse one which said that for those who are living that way life is filled with hidden blessings. Later, verse five proclaims that it is God, the center of the heart, who prospers life unto its end. It was upon reading the commentary that I recognized the possible richness of reflection on what was contained in these phrases. See what you think of this call to wake up to the ordinary events of life.

Sources of blessing flow hidden beneath the external surfaces of the world. These we tap as we live out our lives in right-relationship to God and to the world. Often these appear to be mundane and ordinary, but extraordinary is hidden in them. Look at your circumstances. What in the ordinary hides the extraordinary goodness of God? We are asked to see this, to penetrate past the surfaces to the heart.

Notice in verse 5 that it is at the center, the heart, where these realities become clear to us. Can you see from the level of your heart?  (Ancient Songs Sung Anew, p. 331)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hidden Blessings

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Ancient Songs Sung Anew, blessing, center of the heart, cornucopia of good, extraordinary, God, hidden blessings, Lynn Bauman, oilve plants, psalm 128, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Psalm 128 is the one that says “your children are like olive plants around your table.” I understood this line much more deeply after a visit to Italy some years ago when I saw olive trees for the first time. I found them a lovely element in the landscape, a gentle presence both light and strong.

Lynn Bauman (Ancient Songs Sung Anew) gives voice in his lyrical translation of this psalm to what he calls “a cornucopia of good” that includes not only familial relationships but “hidden blessings” that flow to those who “walk upon the paths of God.” He speaks of God as “the center of the heart” who prospers all our days.

Bauman’s commentary seemed to me a worthy focus for the day’s reflection. He says: Sources of blessing flow hidden beneath the external surfaces of the world. These we tap as we live out our lives in right-relationship to God and to the world. Often these appear to be mundane and ordinary, but extraordinary is hidden within them. Look at your circumstances. What in the ordinary hides the extraordinary goodness of God? We are asked to see this, to penetrate past the surfaces to the heart. Notice in verse 5 that it is at the center, the heart where these realities become clear to us. Can you see from the level of your heart?  

Coming to Fruition

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blessings, center of the heart, flourish, garden, growing, hidden blessings, nature, path of God, Peace, psalm 128, retreat, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Yesterday was a perfect day for outside work – sunny and cloudy at intervals, not too hot but warm enough…a day to marvel at the changing faces in the flower gardens (e.g. from irises to lilies) and to be grateful. I was amazed as I rode along mowing how much the grass is still growing in a week’s time. Usually by this late in June it has slowed down a bit. Local vegetables are appearing in the markets and the corn continues to out-distance all expectations and looks like we will be seeing tassels soon. I think of the people who will come to our retreat center this weekend and those who joined us last weekend in New Hampshire and I know that the growing energy is an “inside job” as well. Psalm 128 is a great reminder of all these blessings and a fitting prayer of praise this morning, I believe. I have read three translations. Here is my favorite:

Blessed are you who walk upon the paths of God. Your life is filled with hidden blessings which overflow from your hands, the gift of many labors. And blessings like fruit-bearing trees and vines spring forth and flourish from the garden of your house; your spouse and children are its yield. And all who honor God upon this path shall know a cornucopia of good. For it is God, the center of the heart, who prospers life until its end. So you who hear and pray this prayer, come close and live within the circle of God’s care. And may God’s special peace be yours, one generation to another.