Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
In Acts, Peter draws straws to appoint a new apostle; Psalm 1, happy are those who meditate on God's word; 1 John, got life?; John the gospel, Jesus prays that we may all be one.
The Sunday Bulletin Service theme is Guided in Prayer; but I'm going to focus on the psalm with the beautiful image of trees beside the water.
But first, about the gospel of John: Sometimes I have to wonder if the author of the gospel of John was a bit "da-da." He put the strangest words in Jesus' mouth, words that none of the other gospel writers seem to remember. These particular words, quoted above, are addressed to God, as half of an overheard conversation. John is the modernist poet of the gospel writers. In poetry, literal accuracy is not the point, the primary task is to evoke an image or emotion. The creator of the Gospel according to John seems to have been more involved in conveying the feeling of what the Jesus experience was like; and according to John it must have been disorienting. Yet from this disorienting gospel the church has excised some singular verses, gospel soundbites. "That they may all be one," which is part of the emblem of the United Church of Christ, is just one example.
It is the psalm appointed for Sunday that I find most inspiring, with the contrasting imagery of a tree planted by water and chaff that the wind drives away.
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight in in the law of God,
and on God's law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all they do they prosper.
Happy, like trees. The trees of spring are looking particularly happy this morning. Not as wind-blown as yesterday, and watered by an early morning shower, they do look fresh and strong and healthy. We should all be that happy.
According to a 2002 study conducted by researchers from the University of California at Berkeley, people who attend worship services once a week have significantly lower risks of death than those who attend less frequently or not at all. Even when adjusting for other risk factors, such as smoking or exercise, those who attend worship regularly were 21% less likely to die of circulatory diseases. The lead author of the study, Doug Oman surmises: "Maybe frequent addendees experience a greater sense of inner peace, perhaps they can draw upon religious coping practices to help them deal with stressful events."
Happy are those... who delight in the law of God, and on God's law meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water... and their leaves do not wither.
Good news.
