Living Psalm 17:1-7, 15 Pentecost 10A

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.

Sunday, August 6, 2023
Observed as Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A in RCL

Observed as Festival of Transfiguration in Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions since the 7th Century.

This Living Psalm adapts Psalm 97 from The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Transfiguration.

One of the great ironies of modern faith is that the defining act of war of the twentieth century, the dropping of the Atomic Bomb over Hiroshima, occurred on the traditional Feast of the Transfiguration, on August 6, 1945.
Images of that feast:
-the blinding light revealing Christ,
-the cloud from which the voice of God is heard,
-the fear of the disciples allayed
by the reassurances of the Holy’s life-giving goodness
all find dire echoes in the imagery of Hiroshima
-the blinding light of firestorm
-the mushroom cloud hanging over the landscape
-the loss of life in a moment’s destruction,
-the fear of nuclear destruction
that has attended all generations on earth ever since.

This Living Psalm combines the traditional Transfiguration Psalm 97, with responses adapted from the traditional Psalm of repentance, Psalm 51

Leader: Have mercy on us O Holy One
Wash away our sin
and cleanse us from our guilt

People: You love those centered in truth;
teach us your wisdom.

Leader The Holy One rules, let the earth rejoice
and the many isles be glad.
Clouds and mystery surround God,
Justice and peace are the foundations of God’s throne.

People: We know our evil well, it crushes our very bones
Fear makes a home in our hearts, and hope flees.

Leader: Mountains melt like wax before their Creator
Heavens proclaim God’s justice
and all peoples see God’s glory!

People: Beloved, reshape our hearts and steady our spirits;
restore Holy Imagination and show us the ways of Peace.

Leader Because, You, O God, are Most High,
Source of Goodness, Justice and Peace:

People: Have mercy on us O Holy One
Wash away our sin
and cleanse us from our guilt (Psalm 51)

Living Psalm 97, for the August 6 Feast of Transfiguration, in observance of Hiroshima Sunday, 2023, was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, member, Immanuel Congregational UCC of Hartford, CT.

Living-Psalm-for-HIroshima-Sunday-August-6-2023_Blain-1 Download

Living Psalm for Pentecost 10A – Psalm 17:1-7, 15 was written by Maren Christine 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.