Living Psalm 84 – Pentecost 25C

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.

How lovely is your sanctuary
in all our sanctuaries, O God.
Our souls long for the pews or chairs
for the clear windows to the world around
or glass in sparkling color
that tells the sweet old stories.

How lovely is your sanctuary,
that teaches me to be a sparrow
and not a peacock,
not proud even of the bright-colored
fantail of a physical building,
soaring stone arch or lively storefront,
but of the soft feathers of love
and the wide wings of justice.

Even small children find
a second and holy home,
even babies brought in arms for Baptism,
pets brought to Blessing the Animals,
guests who sit in the back pew
because maybe, just maybe,
they want a wedding here someday,
guests eating at a table for those unhoused —
every bit as much a nest at your altar.

Happy are those who worship in your home.
Happy are those who meet to plan mission
in the basements of a blessed place,
or share a common room
for prayer shawls and conversation,
Happy are rehearsing choirs,
some with concert voices
and some with the desert-dry pitch
you refresh not with rain but training.

And they go from strength to strength
who drink coffee and eat cake at coffee hour,
or just drink lots and lots and lots of coffee
at AA, NA, GamAnon meeting.

and we know your holy nest
is also on livestream and facetime,
honored on Youtube and Zoom,
for no good thing does God withhold
from those who worship digitally.

How lovely is your sanctuary
in all our sanctuaries, O God.

Living Psalm for Pentecost 25C – Psalm 84 was written by Maren Tirabassi.

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.

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