Week of Proper 12, Year Two
[Go to Mission St Clare for an online version of the Daily Office including today’s scripture readings.]
Today’s Readings for the Daily Office:
Psalms 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 (morning) // 73 (evening)
Judges 5:1-18
Acts 2:1-21
Matthew 28:1-10
As we conclude the second national convention of a major political party, I feel drawn to pray for those who live their lives so very publicly. This public life exposes them to so much scorn, mockery, and hatred that has no connection to them as human beings. Our Psalm this morning expresses how many of our public servants must feel: “Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; my lying foes who would destroy me are mighty. Must I then give back what I never stole?”
Can we pray today for those who live and serve in the face of groundless hatred, lying foes, and false allegations? So many of our leaders carry these burdens.
Our Psalmist today complains that “Those who sit at the gate murmur against me, and the drunkards make songs about me.” If we were to update this verse to fit the twenty-first century, the Psalmist would add his frustration about those who sit behind computer screens, and the vicious songs would be “jokes” or memes.
The salvation that the Psalmist cries out for is this: “Save me from the mire; do not let me sink; let me be rescued from those who hate me.” We may all need this particular type of salvation. Save us, oh God, from sinking too far into the mud, and from the hatred that wants to consume us.
Lora Walsh blogs about taking risks and seeking grace at A Daily Scandal. She serves as Priest Associate of Grace Episcopal Church in Siloam Springs and assists with adult formation and campus ministry at St. Paul’s in Fayetteville, Arkansas.