Psalm 81:1, 10-16

Pentecost +14 - Year C

Psalm 81:1, 10-16

Take one

O that folks would listen to me - that I would be understood for what I meant, not what I said or did or didn’t say or didn’t do.

G*D seems to feel that having brought folks out of Egypt that G*D would never again have to face the cry, what-have-you-done-for-me-lately. Well, imagine that, G*D and G*D’s image seem to have a lot in common.

Never in G*D/Israel connections has so much been offered to so few.

It would appear that if praise is going to be freely given, there must also be the possibility of not following every command performance to give gratitude.

Take two

Yesterday my mother had a stroke (bleeding kind, not clotting kind) in a very difficult spot. Surgery intervention is out. Doctor’s prognosis is not good for recovery. As a family we are working on our response. Thank goodness she was as independent as she was to have the appropriate things in place for not playing the resuscitation game.

Hear this Psalm in a mother’s voice -

Sing aloud to Mothers Anonymous, our strength; shout for joy to every Mother of G*D.

I am your Mother, who brought you up out of every trouble you have gotten yourself into. Open your mouth wide and I’ll put another gingersnap in it.

“But my children did not listen to my voice; even my favorite would not follow my wisdom.
So I gave them over to the school of hard knocks, to follow their own counsel.
O that my children would listen to me, that each one would walk in my ways!
Then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their foes.
Those who are after my young-ones had better watch out, for a mother’s wrath brings doom forever.

But my prodigal dear, I will still feed you with the finest oyster stew, and with crumbcake from scratch I would satisfy you.”