Ordinary Time

January 18, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 27:1, 4-9

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
   whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
   of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing I asked of the Lord,
   that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
   all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
   and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
   in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
   he will set me high on a rock. –Psalm 27:1, 4-5

I needed this scripture this morning. It is a soothing balm in a world that seems destined to destroy itself as unbelievable weather events keep occurring. Where politics is being ruled by varied issues that have nothing to do with the Common Good distracting us from the real issues that need to be addressed.  Church has been caught up in the distraction.

In 1937 — the year the Gallup poll began — seven out of 10 Americans attended church. In 2020 — before the pandemic — only 47 percent of Americans belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, according to the survey. It’s been trending downward since 2000*. 

I used the word church above rather than faith because the word church brings to mind a building. I am not suggesting we element buildings of worship.  I am struck by the words in the above scripture saying that God will conceal us under the cover of God’s tent. Does our living our faith reflect what God expects of us?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the balm of your Psalmist. Let them lead us back to the shelter of your love. Help us reflect your love in our service to you. Amen.

*See at https://www.npr.org/2022/12/10/1141010320/as-attendance-dips-churches-change-to-stay-relevant-for-a-new-wave-of-worshipper#:~:text=In%201937%20%E2%80%94%20the%20year%20the,been%20trending%20downward%20since%202000.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.