Posts Tagged ‘Psalm 37:1-6’

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Br. Luke Ditewig

Titus 2:1-14
Psalm 37:1-6, 28-29
Luke 17:7-10

“Put your trust in the Lord, and do good.”[i] “Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrong-doers, for they will soon fade like the grass … . Trust in the Lord … .”[ii] In a “trust fall,” one trusts a group below will catch them safely. To float in water, one lets go trusting water will support the body. Trust is the firm belief in the ability or strength of another.

Some trust in particular people, in technology, weapons, and possessions. Psalm 20 says, “Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call upon the Name of the Lord our God.”[iii] At Compline, we prepare to sleep praying: “‘You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust.’”[iv] Like floating, sleep is surrender, a vulnerable letting go, not grasping or clinging.

“Do good” says the psalmist. Be righteous. Do justice. Teach, urge, and do good, says the Letter to Titus. Lead and encourage prudence, endurance, kindness, self-control, and fidelity. Personal and communal integrity matter and witness to God.

Today’s gospel and epistle texts are hard to hear with the slave language. Eugene Peterson paraphrases the end of our gospel in The Message: “Does the servant get special thanks for doing what’s expected … ? It’s the same with you. When you’ve done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, ‘The work is done. What we were told to do, we did.’” Read More