Seventh Sunday of Easter: May 28, 2006.Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 Cupped Ear/Psalm Sounds Psalm 1 announces the theme of obedience as the way to happiness in God's world. Hear the call to choose the path of the righteous right·eous adj. 1. Morally upright; without guilt or sin: a righteous parishioner. 2. In accordance with virtue or morality: a righteous judgment. 3. or the path of the wicked. Listen for the sound of your feet. Hear the first word of the Psalter, "Happiness." Since the beginning of humanity, people have sought to be happy or to be blessed. This is the goal for most people, and the answer to happiness is heard in Psalm 1. The recommendation for happiness begins with three negative "no entry" signs on the wrong road. First, do not partake in Verb 1. partake in - be active in participate, take part - share in something 2. partake in - have, give, or receive a share of; "We shared the cake" partake, share the counsel of the wicked (v. 1). Second, do not stand in the way of sinners (v. 1). Third, do not sit among the scoffers who refuse the instructions of God (v. 1). There seems to be a progression from compliance to lingering lin·ger v. lin·gered, lin·ger·ing, lin·gers v.intr. 1. To be slow in leaving, especially out of reluctance; tarry. See Synonyms at stay1. 2. to settling among the wicked. Be careful how you position your life among the sinful. Psalm 1 tells us that there is only one thing needed for happiness: to meditate med·i·tate v. med·i·tat·ed, med·i·tat·ing, med·i·tates v.tr. 1. To reflect on; contemplate. 2. To plan in the mind; intend: meditated a visit to her daughter. on the torah/teachings of God. Hear the word meditate release its sound of intoning and murmuring mur·mur n. 1. A low, indistinct, continuous sound: spoke in a murmur; the murmur of the waves. 2. An indistinct, whispered, or confidential complaint; a mutter. 3. of Scripture. Say and listen to the teachings of God every day and night, and you will find happiness (v. 2). A righteous person will become like a tree that is "rooted" and "watered" in torah/teachings and will flourish in fruitful happiness and evergreen living. But the wicked will hear the sound of the wind blowing their chaff-lives aimlessly aim·less adj. Devoid of direction or purpose. aim  less·ly adv.aim throughout the world (vv. 3-4). We choose between two ways: the way that God knows and watches and the way of the wicked that comes to nothing (vv. 5-6). Open Mouth/Psalm Speech Easter is a good time for the preacher to remind the people of God that they were once called the people of The Way. Psalm 1 speaks of following God's way, or path. The preacher might deepen the call to "meditate." Many people think of meditation as a silent, detached experience. But the biblical understanding of meditation involves murmuring, intoning, speaking, or growling over the Scriptures. Could the preacher challenge her congregation to become more deeply engaged in the study of Scripture? According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Psalm 1, happiness is discovered in putting one's whole self into the world of Scripture. Another benefit might be the discovery that a certain "rootedness" develops as one becomes deeply watered and fed by Scripture. A sermon on these topics might be well received in a "rootless" generation. DRB DRB Design Review Board DRB Development Review Board DRB Douay-Rheims Bible DRb Distributed Ruby DRB Dispute Resolution Board DRB Digital Radio Broadcasting DRB Defence Research Board (Canada) DRB Disciplinary Review Board |
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