ISSL Reflections October 13, 2024 Psalm 22:1–11 Post 3

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VII.
As you spend time with the Psalm today, how do you hear the Psalmist speak of hope?

VIII.
Psalm 22:1-11 (NRSVue)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
       Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
       and by night but find no rest.

Yet you are holy,
       enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
       they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were saved;
       in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm and not human,
       scorned by others and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
       they sneer at me; they shake their heads;
“Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—
       let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”

Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
       you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
On you I was cast from my birth,
       and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
Do not be far from me,
       for trouble is near,
       and there is no one to help.

IX.
The Psalm opens with the declaration that the Psalmist feels forsaken and that God is “so far from helping me.”

And this portion of Psalm ends with the request that God “not be far from me …”

Yet he also speaks of God being holy and of those who have trusted in God in the past and even can say, “… since my mother bore me you have been my God.”

Where is the Psalmist’s hope?

Does he expect an answer when he asks God to not be far?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections October 13, 2024 Psalm 22:1–11 Post 2

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IV.
Today, as you are able, please hold the first stanza of this Psalm in our focus. Take some time to “live into it” if you can..

If you find that too hard today, then read those words, let go of them and pass on to the rest of the Psalm.

V.
Psalm 22:1-11 (NRSVue)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
       Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
       and by night but find no rest.

Yet you are holy,
       enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
       they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were saved;
       in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm and not human,
       scorned by others and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
       they sneer at me; they shake their heads;
“Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—
       let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”

Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
       you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
On you I was cast from my birth,
       and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
Do not be far from me,
       for trouble is near,
       and there is no one to help.

VI.
Has there been a time when you prayed as the Psalmist, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Or, has there been a time when that sentiment was so close you wanted to give it voice, but you feared it was not proper for you to utter? You wanted to cry out, but you believed you could not talk to God that way?

Please, let go of that fear. I believe we can shout at God, cry out at God and let God share our pain, fears and burdens.

The Psalmist and Jesus give us examples of such prayers, and thereby provide a path for us.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections October 13, 2024 Psalm 22:1–11 Post 1

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I.
As you come to this Psalm with open ears, what do you hear?

Are you immediately taken to The Cross, and hear these words coming from Jesus?

Many of us will.

Today, take time to approach this Psalm fully, and hear all the Psalm, both the anguish and the hope.

II.
Psalm 22:1-11 (NRSVue)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
       Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
       and by night but find no rest.

Yet you are holy,
       enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
       they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were saved;
       in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm and not human,
       scorned by others and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
       they sneer at me; they shake their heads;
“Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—
       let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”

Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
       you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
On you I was cast from my birth,
       and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
Do not be far from me,
       for trouble is near,
       and there is no one to help.

III.

Do you hear the sing-song rhythm of the Psalm? How it goes back and forth between anguish and hope.

Which stanzas do you identify most with today?

The ones that speak of forsakenness, scorn and farness of God?

Or the ones that speak of God’s holiness, those who trust in God and God keeping one safe?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections October 6, 2024 Psalm 51:1–4, 10–12, 15–17 Post 3

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VII.
As you return to Psalm 51 today take notice of what the Psalmist requests from God.

VIII.
Psalm 51:1–4, 10–12, 15–17 (NRSVue)

Have mercy on me, O God,
     according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy,
     blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
     and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
     and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned
     and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
     and blameless when you pass judgment.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
     and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
     and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
     and sustain in me a willing spirit.

O Lord, open my lips,
     and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
     if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
     a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

IX.
What do you find the Psalmist requests from God?

Mercy – cleansing – nearness – joy

What else do you notice?

Has there been a time you made a similar request?

Take some time to read and meditate on the Psalm once again and as you do, keep your eyes open for what the Psalmist tells us about God.

What is the character of the God to which the Psalmist prays?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections October 6, 2024 Psalm 51:1–4, 10–12, 15–17 Post 2

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IV.
As you spend time with the Psalm today, pay attention to the words of confession.

V.
Psalm 51:1–4, 10–12, 15–17

Have mercy on me, O God,
     according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy,
     blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
     and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
     and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned
     and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
     and blameless when you pass judgment.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
     and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
     and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
     and sustain in me a willing spirit.

O Lord, open my lips,
     and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
     if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
     a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

VI.
The Psalmist speaks of transgressions, iniquity, sin, and evil.

And he certainly seems to claim all are part of his life.

How important is it that the Psalmist claims –

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.

And yet, the Psalmist proclaims –

… a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

How is such a claim part of confession?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections October 6, 2024 Psalm 51:1–4, 10–12, 15–17 Post 1

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I.
For the next several weeks we will spend time with some of the Psalms, starting this week with Psalm 51.

While this Psalm for many is not one of the most well known Psalms (e.g. Psalm 23, Psalm 1, and Psalm 100) it certainly ranks close.

For some it may be associated with Ash Wednesday and Lent.

As you begin to spend time reading and hearing this Psalm, see if you can hear the depth from which the Psalmist gives voice to these words.

II.
Psalm 51:1–4, 10–12, 15–17 (NRSVue)

Have mercy on me, O God,
     according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy,
     blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
     and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
     and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned
     and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
     and blameless when you pass judgment.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
     and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
     and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
     and sustain in me a willing spirit.

O Lord, open my lips,
     and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
     if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
     a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

III.
Would you call Psalm 51 a Psalm of confession or a Psalm of petition?

If you consider it confessional, what is the Psalmist confessing?

If it is petitional, what is the Psalmist asking for?

What is your attention drawn to in the Psalm?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Exodus 15:1–3, 11–13, 17–18, 20–21 Post 3

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VII.
In this song of Moses and Miriam we have only the lyrics. It would be interesting to know the melody that was partnered with it

As you spend time with this song once again, consider how you would sing it.

VIII.
Exodus 15:1–3, 11–13, 17–18, 20–21 (NRSVue)

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my might,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him;
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.

Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in splendor, doing wonders?
You stretched out your right hand;
the earth swallowed them.

In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed;
you guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession,
the place, O Lord, that you made your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.
The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them:

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

IX.
What type or types of worship music do you prefer?

  • Traditional hymns
  • Contemporary Christian
  • Gospel
  • Spirituals
  • Taize
  • Gregorian Chants
  • Instrumental

Have I left out a type/form you like? Or, an instrument you prefer?

Take a few moments and allow yourself to hear some music that helps you come to a place of worship. Some may want to physically listen to music, others may find music rising in your mind and spirit without hearing any external sounds.

Take your time to rest in a spirit of worship.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Exodus 15:1–3, 11–13, 17–18, 20–21 Post 2

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IV.
We are thinking today about singing and worship.

Why do you think Moses and Miriam and the Israelites were moved to sing and not just “talk about” their experience of God’s deliverance?

V.
Exodus 15:1–3, 11–13, 17–18, 20–21 (NRSVue)

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my might,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him;
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.

Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in splendor, doing wonders?
You stretched out your right hand;
the earth swallowed them.

In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed;
you guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession,
the place, O Lord, that you made your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.
The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them:

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

VI.
Take a moment to think of how music, songs, and singing are part of your worship experiences?

How do those elements impact worship for you?

Do they draw you away from worship or draw you into worship and praise?

Do they enhance your experience of worship and God’s presence?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Exodus 15:1–3, 11–13, 17–18, 20–21 Post 1

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I.
Over the last several weeks we have been thinking about worship from one perspective or another and this week we pause to listen to Moses and Miriam sing.

As you spend time with this week’s Scripture don’t forget that it is a song and one that was voiced after the Israelites had escaped from Pharoah and crossed the Red Sea.

II.
Exodus 15:1–3, 11–13, 17–18, 20–21 (NRSVue)

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my might,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him;
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.

Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in splendor, doing wonders?
You stretched out your right hand;
the earth swallowed them.

In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed;
you guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession,
the place, O Lord, that you made your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.
The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them:

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

III.
In the verses we have before us, what emotions do you hear?

What overarching themes do you hear?

When have you ever been moved to sing about some experience you had?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 22, 2024 2 Chronicles 35:1–6, 16–19 Post 3

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VII.
What do you think it means that in the details Josiah gives to the Priests, the Levites and the people for keeping the Passover he includes the phrase “… sanctify yourselves…”?

As you spend time with this passage once again, hold in mind the call to “sanctify yourselves.”

VIII.
2 Chronicles 35:1-6, 16-19 (NRSVue)

Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem; they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month. He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord. He said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the Lord, “Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon son of David, king of Israel, built; you need no longer carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel. Make preparations by your ancestral houses by your divisions, following the written directions of King David of Israel and the written directions of his son Solomon. Take position in the holy place according to the groupings of the ancestral houses of your kindred the people, and let there be Levites for each division of an ancestral house. Slaughter the Passover lamb, sanctify yourselves, and on behalf of your kindred make preparations, acting according to the word of the Lord by Moses.”

So all the service of the Lord was prepared that day, to keep the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord, according to the command of King Josiah. The people of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time and the Festival of Unleavened Bread seven days. No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, by the priests and the Levites, by all Judah and Israel who were present, and by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah, this Passover was kept.

IX.
There are a lot of details included in this short passage that to me stresses Josiah’s desire that the Passover be not only “kept” but be done correctly.

But, we don’t get details on what they are to do to “sanctify yourselves.”

In our day and age what do you think we might do to sanctify ourselves?

Is it a matter of getting all the details done right and in the right order? Or is there more to it?

What might be involved in the interior work of sanctifying ourselves as we approach and enter into worship?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}