Hope Rising

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bad behavior, Incarnation, love, moral courage, natural disasters, psalm 80, rise up, special election, the silence breakers, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, unrest

Given all the tumultuous and difficult news we have experienced in our country during this year – from natural disasters to political unrest and bad behavior – it is difficult to muster up much courage for the future. Just in the past few weeks, however, it seems there is a crack in the fabric of our culture and a sweeping broom of hope has appeared to offer a monumental clearing if we just pay attention. From the Time Magazine designation of “The Silence Breakers” as the “Person of the Year” with the domino effect in Congress and the media to the special election in Alabama this past week, it seems that there is a rising of moral courage among us. What we need now is an ongoing watchfulness and the fortitude that will keep that metaphorical ball rolling. Psalm 80 gives us appropriate words of petition to the God we believe is at the heart of change. I offer it today as a sign of hope and solidarity as we await once again the Incarnation of Christ into the world.

Rise up, come strong among our tribes and clans, and with your overflowing love, recall us back to life, O God of all, so we may see the shining brilliance of your face. Yes, that will be enough for us, for we will be restored to you again. (Ancient Songs Sung Anew, Ps. 80: 2-3)

 

 

 

 

 

Whose Agenda?

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agenda, brilliance, deadlines, determination, flock, grace, hand, humanity, love, psalm 80, shepherd, strength, strong, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I have a lot to accomplish today – deadlines are everywhere – and it is so muggy out (and inside my head) I feel as if I can hardly move, never mind think! But then I read just four verses from Psalm 80 (1-3, 16) and my determination to cooperate with the grace I know exists comes flooding in. Well, it actually started as a trickle but has increased already as I write. Here are the words that are my impetus this morning for my small agenda and, as I think of it, might be a starter prayer of petition to get our country and the world back on track.

Listen, O Shepherd of humanity, leading your people like a flock, let your splendor come flashing forth and shine in beauty from the throne that rides the wings of the cherubim. Rise up, come strong among our tribes and clans, and with your overflowing love recall us back to life, O God of all, so we may see the shining brilliance of your face. Yes, that will be enough for us, for we will be restored to you again…Reach out your hand to us again and make us strong, so we may be as we once were.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Re-up!

Tags

Advent, assess, hearken, Luke, make straight His path, psalm 80, shepherd, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wake up

So…here we are at the mid-point of Advent, even a little past. The Scriptures are getting a little more emphatic. The refrain for Psalm 80 calls out to the heavens, “Shepherd of Israel, hearken! (A word we don’t use much any more but which is the equivalent of Listen to us!) Rouse your power and come!” (In other words: Wake up and show up!) Perhaps I exaggerate but the point is well made. We need help here. But the Alleluia verse pulls the responsibility back to us. “Prepare the way of the Lord,” it says. “Make straight his paths.” (LK 3:4)

So my thought today – as often – is one of assessing where I’ve come to in my intention toward the deeper birthing of Jesus into my life and the re-energizing my resolve of readiness. At least I’m awake and moving at 7:20AM on a Saturday. That seems a good start!