Living Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 – Lent 4B

We give thanks in this season of covid
for the blessing of new hopes,
for the gifts of medical caregivers
through times of danger,
and for researchers creating vaccines
in the midst of pandemic.

We give thanks to God
for companionship in the isolation,
for window visits at nursing homes,
Zoom funerals with comforting tears
in a virtual place of love,
and patient staff at vaccine sites.

But we cry out against the injustice
of vaccine nationalism,
which hoards tight and does not gather
from east and west, north and the south
all for an equality of redeeming.

For many are ill because they must work
or share shelter, many go out
ill-prepared for the virus,
and they, God’s children,
have drawn near to death’s gates.

When they cry to God,
God breathes in their dying breath.

When we hear the cries
of God lying in the beds of the world,
the overflowing hospitals,

then should our hearts reach out
to demand global healing
from governments and manufacturers,
access for one hundred thirty countries
without vaccine
and others with minimal doses.

Then should we wrap our old psalm
around a new story:

for all – injections and songs of joy,
for all – injections and songs of joy.

Living Psalm 107 for Lent 4 B 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.

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.