Today I will read a poem called “Be a Living Psalm.” As you know, the Book of Psalms is full of prayers of praise and complaint. Let us recognize our ability to do both.
Be a Living Psalm
It matters not. The dialogue, the arguments are not worth the air we expend.
Rather, pick up the empty beer bottle and rumpled week-old newspaper from the sidewalk….
Look into the watery eyes of the homeless person; they may or may not be vacant.
Hold the hand of your partner of [so many years], smile at the faint whistle of air through their nostrils.
Be patient with your impatience with your aged Parents; know that they, too, hate you at times….
Slice the radish paper-thin; spread it fan-like around the white plate. Bless the bread before you eat it.
Know that life shakes herself awake each day- that random pieces will fall into our lap.
Our job is to hold praise and lament with equal regard.
Our job is to be a living psalm.
(Adapted from Jennifer Hoffmann, Spiritual Directors International.)
Gracious and loving God, teach us to hold praise and blame with equal regard. Teach us to be a living psalm.—AMEN.
