Living in the Spirit
June 20, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 9:9-20

The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
   in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgement;
   the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

The wicked shall depart to Sheol,
   all the nations that forget God.

 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
   nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail;
   let the nations be judged before you.
Put them in fear, O Lord;
   let the nations know that they are only human. –Psalm 9:15-20

We pay the price for our own mistakes. The groups with which we are affiliated are not so different. They face the consequences of their actions. Families, social clubs, faith organizations, governments at all levels all are very much alike in that regard. Remember the song by Sandy Chapin and Harry F. Chapin

Cat’s in the Cradle?
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
“When you coming home, dad?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then

 And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
“When you coming home, son?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then, dad
We’re gonna have a good time then*

 Groups reflect individuals and groupthink provides self-validation for individuals. Thus, oneness is a common occurrence as we find ourselves building on the sameness we create. We let the world shape us for good or bad in whatever way is prevailing. That is how the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

Jesus calls us to an uncommon oneness. A oneness where we each and all take responsibility for our actions as we model them after the example set by Jesus.  Such choice is designed intentionally to seek the creation of a world ruled by love.

Prayer: Lord, bring us to your uncommon oneness until it is the oneness that prevails across the universe and is uncommon no more. Amen.

\*Selected from Cat’s in the Cradle lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, see at https://www.google.com/search?q=the+cats+in+the+cradle&oq=the+cats+in+t&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l4.6413j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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.