Of the readings in the
Revised Common Lectionary for 30 November 2013 (Saturday before the First Sunday in Advent) I choose to reflect on Psalm 122. (I'm filling in with reflections on that portion of the lectionary that occurred before I started doing these at the start of 2014.)
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem Psalm 122:6a
It is a shame that this city, beloved by all three major Abrahamic faiths, has become a focus of war and strife. Yet each tribe wants possession of Zion for itself, forgetting:
"That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord"
Psalm 122:4-5a
Forgetting:
"For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, 'Peace be within you.' "
Psalm 122:8
As Christians we need to remember:
" 'In My Father’s house are many dwelling places.' "
John 14:2a
We need to remember that Jesus preached of the Kingdom of God, not the Kingdom of Jesus. So let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for that peace will come when we are willing to allow not just a chosen few but to allow all to come within its walls, both literally and figuratively.
