Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; He bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.

We are not the first to make this journey. This Psalm is a song praising Zion as the longed-for goal of the pilgrim. The singer envies sparrows and swallows which can build their nests in Zion. The pilgrimage is seen as a joy and not a duty.

This is not, however, idolatry; Zion is not worshipped in itself, but for what it represents:

... my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God ... Happy are those ... ever singing Your praise. Happy are those whose strength is in You ... O Lord of Hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in You.

I keep re-reading this week's scripture verse about "no divisions among (us)" and reflect on the fact that division is what some people thrive on. Sad, but true. Divisions cause weakness, cause us to question, and feed feelings of inadequacy and paranoia. Divisiveness tips the scale of "power" and keeps the masses unbalanced. Division feeds on fear.

The Mind of Christ is one of Compassion and Love. Not that gooshy, Victorian love-thing, but a serene caring that comes from understanding we're all connected.

This also has made me reconsider our use of the term "enemy". We even have a prayer in the BCP that is for "our enemies and those who wish us harm". I really think it's time we remove the term "enemy" from our language as well. Who is our enemy? Who is our brother? Aren't they really the same person with a difference of opinion?

We all come from the same God. We all belong to the same God -- the same Universe. We should remove the word enemy from our prayer language, and simply pray for our brothers and sisters who wish us harm. Pray for our brothers and sisters who are frightened, insecure, and who are seeking power over others. Pray for them to understand the truth.

I am God's. I am Christ's sister. It's my responsibility to be Christ-like and promote reconciliation and truth.

If we really want Peace on Earth, we need to change our vocabulary and pray for our brothers and sisters who need Understanding and Love. Pray for our brothers and sisters who wish others harm. Let's the Mind of Christ be opened in all people on this tiny marble-earth, on which we live.

Psalm 82:4-5

[God is speaking]"... Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hands of the wicked." They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

This is a Psalm which makes use of an ancient conception that there are many Gods, in sort of a Divine Parliment. This Psalm tells us the need for justice and righteousness applies in "Heaven" as it does on Earth. "False Gods" are recognizable by their unrighteousness.

"Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one ..." As we walk to Jerusalem, we should keep in mind our God is a God of justice and equity. All the nations, ultimately, belong to the one God.

Heard around the Fellowship Hall

Just want to share some bits and pieces of conversations about "the Walk" so far:

"I'm aiming for one more mile this week than last."
"I feel like one more piece of my life is getting integrated with God."
"It's neat that we have friends outside the parish walking with us."
"My goal is to do a little bit more each week."
"I felt like skipping my exercise time today, but then I thought about 'Walking to Jerusalem' and I got up and went to the gym."
"I like the way the meditations give me something to focus on."

Psalm 56.12-13

My vows to you I must perform, O God; I will render thank offering to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, so that I may walk before God in the light of life.

This Psalm is attributed to David, and it is thought he composed it when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Not suprising, as with Psalm 26 and others, it is another prayer for deliverance from personal enemies. It was sung to the tune "The Dove on Far-off Terebinths," and we have no idea what that tune sounded like.

This was written when he was in the midst of his struggles, not when they were over. Nevertheless, David has absolute trust in God. The last two verses above are not "bargaining with God" ["If you save me. I will do this or that!"], but David's response to the graciousness of God, even in the midst of trouble.

It would be nice, on our walk to Jerusalem, to pray for the assurance of David - even when trampled on, even when oppressed, even when others stir up strife, even when they hope to have our life, we put our trust in God. We remember God knows our tossing and tears, and God is for us. That's why we perform our vows and give thanks, in the light of life.

... what can flesh do to me? ... What can a mere mortal do to me? ...

Psalm 26

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity ... I walk in faithfulness to you ... and go around your altar ... I walk in my integrity ..."

This is a very exciting Psalm. The speaker has been falsely accused of something and is praying for deliverance from personal enemies. The Psalmist is asking for vindication against an unjust charge and loudly protests personal innocence. The speaker is so convinced this is so God is asked to test the Psalmist's heart and mind. The speaker is so sure of innocence some sort of liturgical ceremony is involved, and makes comparisons to those who have actually sinned. There is absolute assurance God can and will redeem the speaker.

We, as we walk, need not be quite as sure as is the Psalmist, but the Psalmist's conviction and integrity is not a bad goal for our journey.

Psalm 23.4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me.

This is, in it's KJV translation, probably the most famous "walking verse" in the Bible. There will be dark valleys on our walk. God does not promise to keep us out of dark valleys or keep evil away from us. What God promises is even better - to be with us, to guide us, and to take care of us, as a shepherd cares for the flock.

1 Kings 8.35-36

When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, and then they pray toward this place, confess your name, and turn from their sin, because you punish them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk; and grant rain on your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.

Once more, this is from Solomon's prayer at the Dedication of the 1st Temple. The theology could be seen as a little primitive - when bad things happen, such as a draught, it is our fault for sinning.

On another level, there is more here.

There is a wonderful book of anthropology, published years and years ago, Magic, Science, and Religion, by Stanislaw Malinowski. A statement such as above is not science, as it involves a intervening force outside of the scientific process, God. It posits an open system, not the closed system required by science. However, it is not magic, as our efforts, such as walking to Jerusalem, do not manipulate God. It is not, "If we do X, then God will automatically have to do Y. God remains God. God is the actor, not the reactor.

Our actions toward God are of religion - prayer, belief in the Power of God, listening, and repentance, and we believe God will forgive and instruct, not because we have done this or that, but because God is God.

Meditation for the Week of January 20th

1 Cornithians 1: 10-14

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you should be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul’, or ‘I belong to Apollos’, or ‘I belong to Cephas’, or ‘I belong to Christ.' Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Questions to consider as you walk or exercise:

Whose are you?
Who do you belong to?
How do you know?
What does that mean to you?

In Epiphany, in particular, we celebrate Christ being the light of the world and we are also charged with being the light of the world. How are you the light? How can you shine more brightly?

A Walking Song for the Next Week

We're Marching to Zion

Text: Isaac Watts; refrain by Robert Lowry
Music: Robert Lowry

Tune: MARCHING TO ZION, Meter: SM with Refrain

1. Come, we that love the Lord,
and let our joys be known;
join in a song with sweet accord,
join in a song with sweet accord
and thus surround the throne,
and thus surround the throne.
Refrain:
We're marching to Zion,
beautiful, beautiful Zion;
we're marching upward to Zion,
the beautiful city of God.

2. Let those refuse to sing
who never knew our God;
but children of the heavenly King,
but children of the heavenly King
may speak their joys abroad,
may speak their joys abroad.
(Refrain)

3. The hill of Zion yields
a thousand sacred sweets
before we reach the heavenly fields,
before we reach the heavenly fields,
or walk the golden streets,
or walk the golden streets.
(Refrain)

4. Then let our songs abound,
and every tear be dry;
we're marching through Emmanuel's ground,
we're marching through Emmanuel's ground,
to fairer worlds on high,
to fairer worlds on high.
(Refrain)