INTRODUCTION: 1] Psalms
are poetry for singing;
personal, depending not on rhyme, but repeating an idea differently,
developing it, contrasting it, etc. They date from pre-1000 BC (David)
to mid 400s
BC. Being of their day, we may
find attitudes in some PSs abhorrent. 2]
The
APB text differs from Bible versions. 3]
Try reading, praying the Psalms in I & You language. 4] This is a 'Song of Ascents'
(PSS 120-134) maybe for pilgrims coming in sight of the Temple at
Jerusalem. 5] Today's Gospel,
like this PS reflects the then view that blindness came not through
faulty eyes but a faulty heart.
WARMING UP: Do we wish pride came before a fall for some we can
think of - but not ourself?
TREASURES OLD & NEW:
Identify God at work in anything this week?
ENTERING INTO THE STORY:
1-2 Though we understand now that
the heart makes the body 'run' physiologically, might there be merit in
re-learning the ancient understanding that the heart is also the
driving force of our whole being? How has pride come to take pride of
place in so many people today? Were, say, ordinary people less proud
when they normally had little in any physical sense to be proud of?
Does the old translation 'high minded' help us understand that pride is
really getting above our human-ness & even attempting to get up
there with, or even above God? Is haughtiness in our eyes (&
manner) still a give away that our heart is set on wrong values; on our
own self & not on God?
What's the difference between
good & bad ambition? What's wrong with 'busying ourself in great
matters'? Is it only wrong if that's not what we're called to be doing,
or is it always wrong? For whom? Now that so many things 'too wonderful
for us' are being opened up to us through the rapid spreading of
today's new learnings, could we put ourself at risk, humanly speaking,
by not 'busying ourselves in things too wonderful for us'? Is it OK
providing we keep that sense of wonder the PSt doesn't want us to turn
into pride in our own achievements?
3
How 'calmed & quieted' is our soul? If it is so, how has that come
about? Who has brought it about? Is this a case for child-likeness as
distinct from childish- ness? Though none of us is meant to remain as a
child in the physical sense, seeing God is our Mother as well as our
Father, is there a useful lesson in spirituality - & its Source -
here in this imagery? Have we ourself achieved a wholistic working
relationship between body, mind, & soul (spirit) that is acceptable
in God's sight, or are we still working on that? Could we do worse than
apply the PSt's outlook in vv.1-3 to the state of our whole being & our well-being?
4
Is this a useful reminder that we're all in this together? Can our
nation 'trust in the Lord' if we & / or others don't & won't?
Does what the PSt say in the first three verses apply corporately as
well as individually? If so, how do we convey that in a society that's
largely lost faith in God & us? How much does what Jesus tells us
in the Gospel about blindness & 'serving two masters' have to do
with all this?
