Pastor Candi’s Message – 3/9/15
Before the Sermon ~ Psalm 19
Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you, O God,
my rock and my redeemer.
This week’s Psalm 19 passage speaks of Creation’s testimony to God, and is an
opportunity to continue thinking about recovering a Christian theology of Creation.
Psalm 19 has been featured in the liturgy thus far this morning.
Some commentators suggest that Psalm 19 is made up of two, originally independent
parts that have to do with Creation and law. This division, however, reflects the divisions
that are made by modern, Western culture between matter and spirit, nature and
religion. By way of contrast, Psalm 19 may be evidence that ancient Israelites
understood God’s teachings in Creation and law as one and the same.
I know the ancient Israelites felt God was within and around all of creation. I know my
Irish ancestors felt the same way, even in their earliest understandings of God. I can
remember my grandfather telling me about his mother’s understanding of serving and
worshiping God. She believed that as she washed her family’s clothing and cooked their
meals and stoked their fire that she was indeed praising God. As she went about her
daily tasks she prayed and rejoiced in all that God created.
Likewise, Israel has a personal relationship with the Creator who has shared with them
the knowledge that was communicated by the skies. Just as the sun warms all of
Creation, God’s teachings are “enlightening.”
The personal aspect of Psalm 19 makes it applicable to everyone, but Psalm 19 is also a
“psalm of David” and may be understood as a description of the character and
relationship with God of the ideal religious leader.
At the close of the Psalm, there is an image of God as a rock, it alludes back to the
Creation language at the beginning of the psalm. Skies and rocks speak of God. The
individual or leader who prays this psalm prays to live in dependence on God, and in
harmony with all Creation.
Like Psalm 19, Exodus 20:1–17, which Mantana read, understands God’s instruction as
living in harmony with Creation. God rested on the seventh day. Making the
Sabbath holy means setting it apart, because holy has setting apart as a root meaning.
However, this is not a setting apart that separates one from a concern for justice. Those
who are to be allowed to rest on the Sabbath are the vulnerable that could otherwise be
exploited by overwork. This list includes animals!
Jenna and Mantana learned that the Ten Commandments were given in two parts: the
first half of the list pertains to being in relationship with God, the second to how we are
to be in relationship with one another.
The wisdom of God is found in both Creation and in the law. 1 Corinthians 1:18–25,
which Jenna read speaks of the wisdom of God, but also the humanity’s failure to
understand God through human reason.
John 2:13–22 speaks of Creation and justice in a different way. In the ancient world, the
temple was understood as a microcosm of Creation. This relationship to creation is
evident in the architecture and decorations of the temple. Jesus cleansing the temple is a
cleansing of Creation from injustice. In calling his body the temple, Christ holds
together spirit and matter. The body is spiritual, is God’s temple. Christ’s body is a
microcosm of Creation. If this is so, then Creation could be understood as the body of
God.
Much of this week’s scripture suggest a universe with much more fluid boundaries than
our Western cultural minds are comfortable with. God’s spirit permeates Creation,
respecting no material boundaries. How can we possibly comprehend God? Fortunately,
we are also given some very practical guidelines and concrete examples in Exodus 20
and Psalm 19. No wonder we’re exhorted to keep a weekly Sabbath. We need minimally
that amount of time to contemplate the magnitude of God’s glory. May it be so.
Used as a part of the God and Family Award Ceremony:
I AM A GIRL SCOUT
I Am A Girl Scout
I am sunshine...the sparkle of merriment in the eyes of my youth.
I am a doorway out of the commonplace into a new, exciting experience.
I am a purpose-for-life, which will make the later years of the girls I love rewarding.
I am noise... and a silence with warmth in it.
I am laughter...and a quiet revolution, which seeks the comfort of a listener.
I am energy and a touch of living service.
I am youth and the slowly emerging habits that make matured experience worthy
I am the today and tomorrow that is being shaped.
I am habits, ideals, ways of living, confirmed attitudes in the souls of youth.
I am the giver of gifts that fall not away, that time will not quench, that riches will not
deceive.
I am a home to which a heart can unfold.
I am a force that holds you near to each other no matter how different people are.
I am a spirit that forever sings within your heart.
I am love - deep, sincere, devoted love.
I am part of you - for though your feet may pass my door, in my memory you will live
eternally.
I am a Girl Scout.