Advice for Weekend Festivities

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family, groups, guard, Memorial Day, mouth, psalm 141, summer, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, watch

I smiled as I read the psalm response in today’s lectionary readings. I thought it a good thing to remember on this weekend when many families and other groups gather from near and far to celebrate the unofficial start of summer – although the actual date is still nearly a month away. Here’s the line that stood out as good advice if the conversation gets at all contentious.

O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, a guard at the door of my lips. (PS 141:3)

Good Advice

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conversation, guard, mouth, psalm 114, response, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Sorry for the hiatus, Friends. I’ve been engaged in caring for my sister whom I just brought home from a rehab facility after a total hip replacement and the mornings for the past two days slipped into afternoon and evening with little respite for reflection. I’m feeling quite privileged to be here helping. This morning the physical therapist is here and, in addition, progress is fantastic so I’m feeling more attentive to my own inner work.

So this morning there’s a sentence I couldn’t ignore. The lovely Psalm 114 about our prayer rising like incense to God also asks,

O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, a guard at the door of my lips.

Interestingly, I have over the past few weeks noticed myself attempting to slow my reactions/responses in conversation – letting the words coming at me sink in before I allow a retort. I don’t know why I’ve been given that grace but it’s reaffirmed with this morning’s stark approach to God. I would offer it to you for the day’s practice of conscious prayer.