From the Organ Bench

Psalm 25
Family life, during the time of Jesus was not very different from family life as experienced by the psalmist. A father was responsible for teaching his sons the family trade and the Jewish laws. A mother taught daughters how to cook, sew, and do other household chores. Parents were responsible for teaching their children the faith. Synagogue schools (for boys only) developed much later in the first century B.C. Todays psalm text presents a student/teacher relationship. Three strong verbs demonstrate the poets thirst for Gods instruction: Show me, Teach me, Guide me. The basic model for learning is outlined in verses four and five. A child learns to tie shoes by demonstration, verbal instruction, and repeated practice. Learning to drive a car utilizes the same instructional process. One must pass both a written test and an ability test under the guiding eye of a state trooper. The psalmist also alludes to another ingredient in the learning process. He is ready to learn. He is disposed to being guided. He is willing to listen to the lecture. His method of self-education is not working out very well for him. His abilities to learn anything on his own have fallen short. Left on his own, he is not making the grade. Verses one through three describe a bleak situation. The treacherous bad guys are shaming this innocent one. They are winning whatever confrontation is taking place. What is amazing is the plea, the prayer, the lament that utters forth from the psalmists lips. He doesnt ask for strength, or a secret weapon. He asks for a time out, so to speak, to learn the LORDS ways. Furthermore, he is going to sit and wait for the LORDS instruction, even if he has to wait all day. Make me to know (show me) your ways, O LORD; Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth, and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait (hope in) all the day long. The identity of the LORD as God-Teacher is threaded throughout the psalter. Lead me, O Lord , in your rightness because of my enemies; Make your way straight before me. Ps.5:8

Teach me your way, O Lord: And lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Ps.27:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, That I might walk in your truth; Unite my heart to fear your name. Ps.86:11 Teach me thy statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts. Ps.119:26,27 Teach me the way I should go, For to You, I lift up my soul. Teach me to do your will, For You are my God. Ps. 143:8.10 Imagine what our world would be like if we followed the example of the psalmist and waited for the LORD to teach us. Imagine what public policy could be like, if it were framed in the ways of the LORD. Would business plans include kindness as a goal? Would financial institutions figure mercy into the loan agreement plan? Do I dare imagine what my personal life could be, if I allowed myself to be guided by Gods hand in my relationships? The Lord has plenty of parental experience. I could benefit from that wisdom with regard to my children, and grandchildren. The LORD even has tips to help me be a better friend and neighbor. Come to think of it, the hardest part of the lesson is learning to let go of doing things my way.
Delma Rouleau 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 25 September 2011