UCC Files



Living Psalms BookPsalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.Living Psalm 31—for Passion SundayWhen war and genocide and acts of violence disfigure a homeland, In you, Holy Sanctuary, our siblings in faith take refuge.They travel from distant lands on foot, In caravans, In backs of wagons and trucks to find wholeness and safety.Instead of welcoming arms, shame meets them on roads and borders. Shame overpowers their story. Shame forces their narrative to shrink inside their souls.God! DO NOT let them ever be put to shame;May your righteousness deliver them to lands of plenty.?Do not wait or hesitate -- rescue them!Do not let them wander in the desert for weeks or months or years on end. Take them to sanctuaries of comfort. Deliver them now!Instead of lands which capture and torture them, be a rock of refuge even in the nakedness of their vulnerability.In my abode of plenty, of course you are my rock and fortress.But what if I were in the desert Like my neighbors,Like my ancestors,Searching for safety,With the greens along the road as my only nourishment.What if I were havenless as I traipse through rough terrain?Would I still call you my rock and fortress?What if I were reaching my hands across the fenced border-Inches away from the promised land…Would I still call you my rock?Would I still see you as my fortress?Whether my soul is vulnerable or my body is weakInto your hands I commend my spirit.Into your hands they commend their spirits:The woman and child sitting on the other side of the fenceThe man hanging on the crossThe child with his hands up when questioned by the powers-that-be.Into your hands they commend their spirits As they beg for another chance.You will redeem them, God.Even when the world throws them to the scraps.You will redeem them.I think of those who focus on worthless idols-From their own ego to their multi-million dollar toys.Frivolous idols.Do they see what is going on?Do they see the hands reaching across the borderYearning for a few more inches to safety?Do they know the hunger which fills their stomachs?Do they hear the ones that sing of your steadfast love as they look upon a promised land?The humbled sing of your presence because you have seen their affliction.Their hope rests in you because you focus on their adversities and enemies.They sing the words in their hearts:“Be gracious to me, God-I am in distress.The tears that flow from my eyes have turned them red-They swell from my lament.“The status of my soul is dismal. Year after year, in sorrow and chaos-With each and every sigh-Sorrow reigns each morning and evening.And the grief extends deep within my soulFilling my body with weakness.”But we who sit behind fences and borders-We sit within our homes filled with cool air and warm food.We dance about in parksEnjoying the sunlight, safety, Freedom.But the ones on the other side of real and invisible boundaries-They run from fear.They wonder when they will be sought out.Their “friends” believe them as dreadful.The ones abiding on this side of the borders cringeWaiting… just waiting… as they hear the whispersTHOSE people.Whispers, more whispers.It’s terrorizing.Waiting for the shoe to drop.But- God you are here.You are there.Deliver them from evil.May they see that you are their God.Create a path where they can flee from their enemies to the south and their persecutors to the north.Remove all hurdles so that they can see your shining faceAnd your steadfast love.Shame flows in the wrong directionsCasting itself upon the vulnerableWhile the oppressors sit in castlesMaking decisions which generate more shame.Why don’t dishonorable powers find shame?Why don’t they find the same struggles they have caused others?Why can’t you close their mouths as they defame and disgrace the vulnerable?Why can’t they close their own lips when speaking ill of the righteous??And still in the mix and messYour abundant goodness is presentFor those who love you,For those who try,And those who yearn for a better world.You are working to create a new heaven here on earth.You are working to create sanctuaries in the face of hatred.God has showered all God’s children with steadfast love-From nation to nation and upon every curve of this planet.When people were faced with deportation from their homelandsOr their new landsThey have often determined they were far from you.But you heard their lament.And they saw your presence.God is a Holy Preserve for the ones who are vulnerableAnd refuses to forget the acts of the proud.May our neighbors who are far from their homes-Whether the homes of their youth or their spiritual sanctuaries-Find courage and strength. Amen.Living Psalm 31 for Passion Sunday, was written by the Rev. Michelle Torigian, Senior Pastor, St Paul UCC in Belleville, IL.Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group,?a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community. Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.? Copyright 2019 Faith INFO Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved. ................
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