Living Psalm 13 – Pentecost 4A

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 13–Pentecost 4 A
from the lens of my life
Prayer for Deliverance Once You See Me

To the leader. A Psalm Reimagined.

Basta ya. (Enough!) Really? What? I must continue to wait.
I’ve waited long enough.
You genuinely want my people to wait
As the flood of evil that is systemic racism,
Mass incarceration
And murder in plain sight crawls ever closer.
Just wait. Really?
Take a chill pill,
Be happy, don’t worry.
You do remember that waiting is not my strong suit?

At times I think I see glimpses of you
Every now and then, Holy One.
I need you now.
Do I even dare to ask?
I struggle to ask
Do you even see me?
I cannot take more rejection.
Be negated
And discarded.
Be gentle and kind with my soul.
I really need to know so I’m going to ask.
I may regret asking,
and so I say it n a low soft voice staring down,
Have you forgotten me, again?

I am afraid of your answer
Or worse silence.
It feels like it usually does.
Abandoned and I am alone again.
Do you purposely turn and hide from me?
The pains of my life are more than enough.
You hiding?
That is unbearable.

How long must I bear this pain in my soul,
and have blood dripping from my corazon?
Will this continue from the raising of the sun
And persist until light and darkness encounter each other again?
How long will those who degrade me,
tell me I’m worthless
and laugh when they see me,
celebrate their cruelty,
and be uplifted as I struggle,
hurt,
and bleed consistently?
Shall my violator be lifted up
as a model citizen
after what they have done?
They laugh
as they trample on my dignity and worth.

I beg you answer me,
Sophia my God!
Shine light and let the darkness be overcome
Look into my eyes,
Shine the light of hope,
Love,
Grace
And compassion
Or I will surrender to death.
The bully will say,
“Game Over.
Loser, I have prevailed”;
Those who plotted against me
will rejoice because I am in despair.
I am no one to them.
What shall I do?
What can I do?

Spirit of the Universe, the minute I saw you,
I fell in love.
From that moment
I’ve trusted in your steadfast love;
Mother of us all,
my heart wants to sing,
dance
and rejoice
You, Love in Action
are my salvation.
Get the band ready,
it is fiesta time.
Let us sing to YOU,
as you have shined
your grace in my life
and dealt bountifully
with me.

Living Psalm 13 Reimagined through the Lens of my Life, was written by the Rev. Justo González II, Interim Conference Minister, Illinois Conference.

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 2020 Justo Gonzaléz II. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

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