Kumbaya - June 27
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13); PM Psalm 33; Num. 20:14-29; Rom. 6:1-11; Matt. 21:1-11
Psalm 33 makes me happy and brings me comfort! It is absolutely a psalm/song of praise of God’s sovereignty, goodness, and divine generosity, which is the core reality of our world. I remember the Rev. Denson Franklin would often refer to poetry in his preaching and would say that poetry is best when read aloud. Well, the psalms are a form of poetry and I’m glad we get to read them aloud together for the Daily Office. This one evokes so much joy, it needs to be enjoyed collectively. And it seems fitting to be filled with joy today which is the day of the Rev. Glenda Curry’s ordination and consecration as the new Bishop Coadjutor for the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Thanks be to God!
Right from the beginning of Psalm 33, a vivid picture is painted that portrays a glorious and festive celebration of those who love God with rejoicing, music and voices lifted high, and God’s participation by spreading loving-kindness all around. It’s a picture-perfect image of peace and harmony, it’s like they’re singing Kumbaya on steroids! Kumbaya means “come by here” and I need to hear something uplifting and comforting like this today.
A few days ago, I was complaining that it feels like the same things continue to dominate my thoughts and I am riding an emotional roller coaster. The situation with COVID-19 seems to be getting worse and more cases are hitting close to home. I’m tired of physical distancing and miss face-to-face connection through friends, family, and worship. There are people who are not working, who are underemployed, and some who have lost their jobs due to riots. This job situation is maddening. I support the good cops who are serving for our safety and protection, yet I have also been disturbed by the police brutality. Of course, I believe all lives matter, and I understand the movement for Black Lives Matter, and I support peaceful protests, but it’s exhausting to be focusing so much effort toward listening, learning, and discerning how to be part of the solution. All of this compounds the issues that already existed among the sick, vulnerable, and marginalized before everything went to Hell in March 2020. Things are messy and complicated right now. I think it’s still going to take some time for us to get to a new place of stability and well-being, but I do have hope and believe we’ll get there, with God’s help.
The last verse of Psalm 33 is one that serves as a Kumbaya type mantra: Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you (Ps. 33:22). God’s loving-kindness can heal us and heal the world, if we put our trust in God. Let us pray for our minds to be quieted and our hearts to be opened so that we may receive God’s love and healing for ourselves and the world.
-- Susan Oakes, Seminarian
Susan Oakes is a rising senior at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. This summer, she is serving as a seminarian intern at Saint Stephen's, her sponsoring parish for ordination.
Questions for Self-Reflection:
How are you holding up lately?
How are you coping?
What encouragement for others can you offer?
Daily Challenge:
Commit Ps. 33:22 to memory and call upon it when you feel overwhelmed, distressed, uncertain, or afraid.