Lectionary Reflection
Year A, Proper 28
Standard (Episcopal) Lectionary – Revised
Common Lectionary
Psalm
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Psalm 90: 1-8, 12 (Standard
Lectionary) and Psalm 90: 1-8, (9-11), 12 (RCL
– Gospel Track)
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- 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.
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- 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.
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Reflection
on Psalm 90: 1-8, 12 (Standard
Lectionary) and
Psalm 90: 1-8, (9-11), 12 (RCL
– Gospel Track)
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!
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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
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