December 1998 Issue

This is a tremendous psalm of praise to the LORD for God's faithful and mighty works on behalf of God's people and God's creation. The psalmist calls the community of faith to worship the LORD with hearts filled with awe, with wisdom, and with thanksgiving. BECAUSE of the faithful and loving works of the LORD, we are THEREFORE to offer our praise and gratitude.

The center of this psalm (vv. 2-9) lists the reasons for experiencing the LORD as one worthy of worship and praise. Indeed, from the standpoint of the Community of Faith our God is a faithful God! We experience and remember God's faithful love for humanity and creation in:

Indeed, the LORD "sent redemption to his people; and he has commanded his covenant forever" (v. 9).

From a pastoral perspective this message needs to be communicated in a balanced manner. The message of the gospel is to be proclaimed in a way which portrays the power and love of God and also does not denigrate the pain and suffering that exists in humanity. Our communication needs to be as clear as possible on this matter.

The message of God to humanity is one of love and compassion. It is also a call to look with honesty and courage at the pain and evil in our world, our nation, our church, our congregation, our families, and in ourselves. On the one hand we have no reason to despair ultimately. The gospel states clearly how God has begun the redemption of God's creation. This is most dramatically demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus from death. The gospel becomes a promise that what God began in Christ God shall complete.

On the other hand it is clear that we encounter within ourselves and our parishioners times when we do feel ultimately despairing. We feel no hope or purpose in life. We see nothing but pain and suffering ahead. To consider enjoyment in life has a sense of absurdity to it; humor becomes a bad joke. For whatever reason, we can and do lose that sense of awesomeness for the LORD (v. 10), and our ultimate orientation has gone out of whack. We are in good company. It happened to Peter when he tried to walk upon the water: When he looked at the storm around him and took his gaze off Jesus he became fearful and began to sink (Mt 14:22-33).

Of course the other extreme can also be taken. We can be tempted to focus too narrowly upon the "good" in the Good News, because we are trying to avoid the reality of the "bad news" that permeates God's good creation. This tends to happen when we focus upon the glory of Christ without including the cross. It is good that Palm Sunday has become a time for more focus upon the Passion of our Lord. At least we are invited to take more seriously the Good Friday experience rather than merrily hop from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

Even within one of the Gospel Lessons we read a horrible story of the murder of innocent children. Someday I hope that those who decide what the lectionary lessons are will include verses 16 through 19 of chapter 2. When I read Psalm 111 I can easily envision the painful experiences of God's people as well as the faithfulness of God.

The LORD has indeed sent redemption for creation and humanity. The message has consistently been proclaimed to a community oppressed and hurting. It has consistently been proclaimed in a manner which demonstrates God's identity and participation in humanity's suffering.

In conclusion, the redemption of the Lord—Jesus Christ—has come. It is God's gift of love and faithfulness to a lonely and alienated humanity. It comes not to deny the existence of pain and suffering. It comes to participate with us in this situation and in that participation by God we can now hope and rejoice. We believe that God's participation with us will ultimately transform the situation in which we presently live. Because God chose to participate with us in our human condition, we can rejoice in the fact that, by faith, our Good News cannot be stripped from us!

Daniel E. Hale