Living Psalm 22 – Good Friday
Living Psalms Book
Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.
Living Psalm 22–Good Friday
Content Warning: Strong Language (which you may adapt) COVID19
What the f*ck, God.
What the actual f*ck.
I am sobbing in the daytime, when I can’t give my family a hug,
and I’m waking up with fits of anxiety and panic attacks at night.
Remember how you’re all knowing?
Remember how you’re all good?
Remember how you’ve intervened and saved your people again and again?
Where there is oppression there is resistance.
Where there is crushing pain and injustice, there is liberation.
But I’m not worth any of that.
I’m stewing in my own panic and pain.
Too much access, too little action. I can spiral down into self-loathing So. Damn. Easily.
And now we are digital pastors, holding the whole of our facebook feed by ourselves… or so it feels.
(“Pray to your god for us. Can we borrow your faith.”)
In between my sobs and responsibilities, I know you will, God.
I know that your care is big enough for us all, no matter what.
(I know we are called to this, and we can do it.)
And yet it feels like I am smaller than small.
Every conversation is trauma.
Every person is holding so much.
Each time we feel adjusted, another sh*tstorm hits.
God, don’t be far away.
Don’t leave us.
Deliver us.
BE THE GOD YOU SAY YOU ARE.
DO IT(YOUWON’T)
SAVE US(PLEASE)
BRING US THROUGH THIS
And we will praise you forever.
Liberate us.
Set free those who are incarcerated.
Set free those who are in refugee camps of death.
Set free those who are in domestic circumstances of violence.
Set free those who are so enamored of wealth that they forget to care for human.
Set free those who are caught up in politicking and institutional nonsense.
Set free those who have lost everything, everything, everything.
LIBERATE US, GOD!
To you, we will offer thanksgiving, forever.
My great-great-grandchildren will remember.
(helpusgod.)
Living Psalm 22 for Good Friday was written by The Rev. Chris Davies, Minister and Team Leader for Faith Education, Innovation and Formation (INFO), UCC..
Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community. Maren Tirabassi, editor
Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.
© Copyright 2020 Faith INFO Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.
