Living Psalm 149 Pentecost 15A

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.

We can love God
oh yes
in our hearts, but also in our hands.
We can love God
but it is not removed – not us on earth
and God in heaven –
oh no.

Love is not a passive verb
or an insignificant noun.
Love is work. Love is toiling
in soil that may produce nothing,
or produce plentifully, but taste bland.
The harvest might be glorious, and
someone stronger may come and take it,
Love is deciding to try again
to make a living where your family
has struggled before you.

Love is waking up every day
and working in a classroom
where twenty five children need
you to be twenty-five different people
for them, where you bring your own supplies
and worry on weekends about the ones
who fall behind. Love is showing up,
unappreciated and exhausted,
knowing you deserve more,
and so do the children.

Love is getting arrested to block drilling on land
that doesn’t belong to us, leaving your family
with a kiss and the knowledge that you may not
come back tonight, or in a week, or longer
but the fight is real and necessary,
and if not you, then who?

Love is sacrifice, and it asks constantly
that we humble ourselves. Love says to listen,
listen to those whose voices have been silenced,
step aside and let them be heard, let their needs
be registered, and if today, you are not them, be gracious
and listen. Love is knowing that there is enough for all,
but some days – maybe all the days – you
will be the one giving. Just know –
it’s even harder to receive.

Love is remembering that those around you wear masks
to make you more comfortable, and love is saying
over and over again, I want to know the real you.
Love is proving that you are safe, that you will hold
the mask tenderly, hold it ready for those
who may need it again because love
doesn’t always feel the same or safe for everyone.

If you want trust, don’t just play at being trustworthy.
If you want justice, sacrifice what is comfortable.
If you want the kind of Love that God grants easily,
you already have it. You already have it. You are Loved.

Now go, and work.

Living-Psalm-149_Mankin-for-September-10-2023-Fifteenth-Sunday-after-Pentecost-to-be-posted-August-28-2023 Download

Living Psalm for Pentecost 15A – Psalm 149 was written by Maria Mankin.

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.