Logo of MEESC
 

Environmental Stewardship Commission

Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota
 
Coat of Arms of Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota
Shield of Episcopal Church

 

Lectionary Reflection

Year A, Proper 28
Standard Episcopal Lectionary — Revised Common Lectionary
Psalm

Psalm 90: 1-8, 12 (Standard Lectionary)
Psalm 90: 1-8, (9-11), 12 (RCL – Gospel Track)

1 Lord, you have been our refuge *
from one generation to another.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the earth were born, *
from age to age you are God.

3 You turn us back to the dust and say, *
"Go back, O child of earth."

4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past *
and like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep us away like a dream; *
we fade away suddenly like the grass.

6 In the morning it is green and flourishes; *
in the evening it is dried up and withered.

7 For we consume away in your displeasure; *
we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.

8 Our iniquities you have set before you, *
and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

9 [When you are angry, all our days are gone; *
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.

10 The span of our life is seventy years, perhaps in strength even eighty; *
yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow, for they pass away quickly and we are gone.

11 Who regards the power of your wrath? *
who rightly fears your indignation?]

12 So teach us to number our days *
that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

 

Reflection on Psalm 90
by Nan Stokes

The lessons for this Pentecost Sunday are warning us about the day of the Lord. Zephaniah says the day is at hand and will be bitter – a day of wrath, distress, anguish and devastation. The signs of nature are very evident: darkness and gloom, clouds and thick darkness. The prophets forecast terrible tribulation to try to bring Israel back into the arms of their God. But the psalm is a comfort, reminding us that the Lord is our refuge and has been for generations – God was there before the mountains were brought forth or the land was born. Even though we will fade suddenly like the grass which is green and flourishing in the morning, and dried up and withered in the evening, the psalmist says we are to number our days so that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. It is a wise thing to contemplate your death every day!

Paul continues his pastoral letter to the Thessalonians by calling them "beloved" and telling them that they are all children of light and children of the day, so they can keep awake and await the day of the Lord, whenever it comes. God has not destined them (or us) to wrath, but will give them (and us) salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord. What a wonder – to know that we are saved and loved!

 

Printable version

To Reflections on other Readings for Year A, Proper 28:

Reflections available at the active links
Standard (Episcopal)
Lectionary
Revised Common
Lectionary
Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Lesson:
Zephaniah 1: 7,12-18
Judges 4: 1-7 or
Zephaniah 1: 7, 12-18
Psalm

Psalm 90 or
Psalm 90: 1-8, 12
(This Page)

Psalm 123 or
Psalm 90: 1-8, (9-11), 12
(This Page)
New Testament Lesson
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-10
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11
Gospel
Matthew 25: 14-15, 19-29
Matthew 25: 14-30

 

Nan Stokes was an active member of St. Edward the Confessor Episcopal Church, Duluth, MN, when she originally wrote this reflection in 1999. Nan and we welcome your comments. Please address your comments or additional reflections to Nan Stokes or any MEESC member, or mail them to:


 MEESC
c/o C. Morello
4451 Lakeside Drive
Eveleth, MN 55743-4400 USA

The MEESC assumes that all correspondence received is for publication on this web site. If your comments are not for publication, please so note on your correspondence. The MEESC reserves the right to decide which items are included on the website.
   

This page last updated 2008-09-12.
 
This page maintained for the MEESC by Logo of IRIS Enterprises.
 

Please send any corrections to
the MEESC WebVerger or our Web Team