Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 6: Year 2
Morning, Psalms 87 and 90; Evening, Psalm 136;
Numbers 13:31 to 14:25; Romans 3:9 to 20; Matthew 19:1 to 12:
“Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another.” (Psalm 90:1)
God is our timeless Parent. We have a beginning and an end, at least in this earthly life. God is circularly infinite: no beginning, no end.
The Psalmist says, “The span of our life is seventy years, perhaps in strength even eighty; yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow, for they pass away quickly and we are gone,” (Psalm 90:10). As I have now passed the seventy four mark and moving towards eighty, this Psalmist has my full attention. I don’t consider my life only labor and sorrow while at the same time I acknowledge there are some things I could have done better.
Over my years of life I have become more and more aware of living in the “Dash.” I have conducted many funerals as an Episcopal Priest. Normally the inclusive dates of the deceased are inscribed by; month, day and year, born; then the dash; and then closes out the life with the ending; month, day and year. So it’s what we do with our hearts, minds, hands and mouths (or don’t do) in the dash time, that makes all the difference.
The Psalmist continues, “So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom,” (Psalm 90:12). The hands (as well as the tongue) follow the heart. We Pray at our Sunday Morning worship, “Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit.” We only have so many days on this earth. Numbering our days may indeed help us to be more lovingly responsive to the needs of others as we await the coming of the other end of our dash.
“May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork,” (Psalm 90:12). I really like Psalm 90, it grounds me.
Keep Ukraine in your prayers. On a personal note, I was given a very nice, handmade Ukrainian Flag lapel pin last night. I wear a vest always and so the flag pin is on my vest, over my heart as a testament of my support of Ukraine. I would sure like to see more support displayed as I travel throughout my days.
God is our timeless Parent. We have a beginning and an end, at least in this earthly life. God is circularly infinite: no beginning, no end. Through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we have an invitation to join God in eternity. How shall we RSVP to this divine invitation?
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 