Living Psalm 133 – Pentecost 11A

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/Salmo 133

-A psalm in the midst of a pandemic

How very good and pleasant it is
When in the mist of covid-19
Humans imagine new ways to live in unity.
It looks like connecting by phone,
Mailing messages of love and encouragement.
It tastes like baking almond cherry scones and bread for your friends
and delivering it at their home’s doors,
It feels like cool water in dry soil
when on your special birthday your friends show up
with signs, balloons, gifts, and flowers
and social distancing creates a bridge of love
between your sidewalk and your lawn
and they sing for you and dance with you at a distance.
It looks like when people meet at a park
to connect and pray with their bodies
and to practice butterfly hugs to keep everyone safe
and noticed how much the children are growing.
How very good and pleasant it is
When people zoom gather to sing, to pray,
and to share their joy and sadness.
When they break bread together and re-member
the circle of love that unites them.
It feels like anointing oil running over all their fears,
healing and comforting them for their journey
For there God sends blessing, life forevermore.

Salmo 133

— Un Salmo en tiempos de una pandemia

Miren que bueno y delicioso es
Cuando en medio de Covid-19
La gente imagina nuevas formas de vivir en unidad.
Es como cuando se conectan por telefono,
Se envian por correo mensajes de amor y de aliento,
Como hornear conos de almendras y cerezas y pan para sus amistades
Y entregarlo a la entradas de sus casas.
Se siente como agua fresca en tierra arida
Cuando en tu cumpleanos especial tus amistades llegan
Y practicando distanciamiento crean un puente de amor
Entre tu acera y tu grama de enfrente de tu casa,
Y te cantas y danzan contigo desde la distancia.
Es como la gente se reune en parques y ora con sus cuerpos
Y nota como han crecido los pequenos
Y practican abrazos de mariposa para mantener a todos seguros.

Miren que bueno y delicioso es
Cuando la gente se reune por zoom para cantar y orar
Y compartir sus gozos y tristezas
Cuando comparten el pan y re-construyen
El circulo de amor que les une
Se siente como aceite de uncion derramado sobre sus miedos
Sanandoles y Consolandoles para la jornada
Y es ahi donde Dios envia bendicion, y vida eterna.

Living Psalm/Salma 133 for Pentecost 11 A was written by the Rev. Nancy Rosas, Sr Pastor at Pilgrim-St Luke UCC, Buffalo, NY.

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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