Pentecost +21 - Year B

Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22)

Verse 2 speaks of the lowly, the humble, those for whom things aren’t
going well (TANAKH, NRSC, MESSAGE, respectively).

Verse 6 continues these references to the lowly, the poor, those in a
tight spot.

The “lowly” translation notes this to be the equivalent of those who
are dependent upon G*D. This seems to be the most helpful approach in a
Wisdom Psalm. It best helps us move from the strange ascription
regarding madness as a coping device to the central verse (11) teaching
lowliness - a relationship with G*D that allows freedom in the midst of
any of the many afflictions that come with life (19).

Evaluate whether this direct approach to freedom through the wisdom of
dependence is more helpful than having to retranslate “fear” in our
heads to get to holy freedom. If so, we may be able to better attend to
the task of living without actual or faked crazy.

Anything in particular bringing you to the brink of madness these days?
How might dependence upon creation-gifts free you to participate
directly with life’s afflictions rather than adding an internal layer
of crazy on top of situational happenstance?

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Posted By Wesley White to Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Dialogue at
10/21/2009 08:18:00 AM