the Icon UnpaintedHow do we tell the story?
when God came into the world, when Enoch’s hand touched his children, Abel’s blood poured into new flesh, Ezekiel’s wall crumbled, and Rachel’s lullaby came into verse...READ MORE AgnesI know how much you loved her,
How intensely you loved and cherished her, how she loved and cherished you; how much of a gift you were to her, a grace bestowed on her life, chosen to be born to you...READ MORE Psalm 107 (pt. 1/4)The most important thing to keep in mind while we are reading through and interpreting the vivid images of desolation, of imprisonment, of abandonment and suffering, is also the most important aspect of this Psalm, that is, the Psalm begins singing as one who has already been redeemed, who has received God's Mercy and been drawn forward to God throughout our lifetime. This is a Psalm, not simply of a final redemption, but a recollection of having been redeemed and the memory of one to whom God has already remained faithful, already made good on the promises of mercy, of forgiveness and Love. This Psalm is one that is already convinced with the surety of a salvation that having been promised, already is, even though we are not yet there.
They Wandered in a barren desert, finding no way to a city they could dwell in Hungry they were thirsty; their soul was fainting within them ... READ MORE Psalm 107 (pt. 2/4)The most important thing to keep in mind while we are reading through and interpreting the vivid images of desolation, of imprisonment, of abandonment and suffering, is also the most important aspect of this Psalm, that is, the Psalm begins singing as one who has already been redeemed, who has received God's Mercy and been drawn forward to God throughout our lifetime. This is a Psalm, not simply of a final redemption, but a recollection of having been redeemed and the memory of one to whom God has already remained faithful, already made good on the promises of mercy, of forgiveness and Love. This Psalm is one that is already convinced with the surety of a salvation that having been promised, already is, even though we are not yet there.
They Wandered in a barren desert, finding no way to a city they could dwell in Hungry they were thirsty; their soul was fainting within them ... READ MORE Psalm 107 (pt. 3/4)Can we imagine for a moment that this life is a journey? Some of us may be familiar with the famous paintings of the Voyage of Life by Thomas Cole. In the first painting there is a young child standing in the middle of a golden boat that is filled to overflowing with flowers and vines and green plants of every kind. At the helm stands the guardian Angel, setting the course and steering the young child through calm waters of a fragrant paradise. Then there are the paintings of youth, of manhood and eventually old age. At each stage of the journey the waters become a little more treacherous, the surrounding land a bit more barren and the protector a standing off a little further. If one looks carefully at the boat, you will notice that the helm slowly disappear, life becomes uncontrollable and unguidable--perhaps the storm winds are raised up, tossing high the waves of the sea. But the man in the painting survives, the foolish dreams of youth pass into the reality of a hard life that can look impossible and insurmountable at times, crushed against the rocks of the real world--and then he passes into the age of the elder. ... READ MORE
Psalm 107 (pt. 4/4)Let us take a moment to recount some of these wonders for the children of men:
To Noah He sent a dove with an olive branch in its mouth, To Abraham he visited and promised Sarah would give birth in her old age, Moses walked on dry ground ...and Joshua crossed the Jordan with water to his left and to his right, Elisah caught the fallen cloak of his master, The Magi were given the light of a Morning Star, To Simon, Andrew and John He appeared Transfigured, speaking with Moses and Elijah about all that was to come, And as the disciples gathered, the Spirit descended upon them like tongues of fire. He changes rivers into the desert, springs of water into thirsty ground fruitful land into a salty waste, ... READ MORE |