Living Psalm 29 – Baptism of Christ – Year B
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
The Voice of God in a Great Storm
Listen for it
and all the heavenly beings
Feel the strength of that presence
holding you gloriously
Whatever name you know the voice by
However its splendor kisses your skin and flesh.
God’s breath ecstatic over the waters
Thundering and strong
Waves and tides to pull us along
It is majestic
To behold.
Climb in the branches of cedar trees to find it again
Lay in the crook and wise bark of Grace.
Answer the calling
Of a shepherd
guiding returning sheltering
Laboring accompanying dying with
Each generation.
Find your healing as tended embers
And what do you need to feed the flames?
What is good kindling for a holy fire?
Listen for the voice of God in the storm
The shaking of the wilderness
The wandering of our hearts
Be whirled into resurrection
Let the wind undress us of sins
Be bare
In front of God
Our bodies the first and last temple to listen.
Isn’t this
A glorious prayer?
This flesh
This world
This storm
This voice
This precious earthly realm
And the eternal one?
God is with us
Unloosed
Unbound
Wild
Holy
Isn’t this
A glorious prayer?
To listen
to how
Our lives
each one
Worth saving
In a storm.
Living Psalm 29 for Baptism of Christ year B was written by Sonny Graves.
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.
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 2021 Sonny Graves. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.
