Psalm 122: Let us Go to the House of the Lord!

We continue our week of "walking" with the Psalms.  Remember that walking doesn't have to be physical, it's more important to allow our prayer to be "embodied."

Scripture:      Psalm 122

Focus:           I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” ~Psalm 122:1

Commentary:  As a “A Song of Ascents,” this psalm describes a group of pilgrims entering “the house of the Lord,” which is the Temple in Jerusalem.  Jason Byassee, of the Vancouver School of Theology points out that Psalm 122 illustrates the medieval church’s four-fold approach to biblical interpretation in regards to Jerusalem:

1. Jerusalem is a city in Palestine. (physically)
2. It is also the church. (allegorically)
3. It is also the faithful soul. (spiritually)
4. It is the city of God, coming down out of heaven from God. (prophetically)
   

Jesus came to fulfill God's promises historically but he will also come again!  

The Psalm weaves together a dual purpose for the pilgrimage of the people of God.  They come to Jerusalem both for judgement which includes pardon and to give thanks for the grace given! God's justice isn't blind for God sees us as we are and God loves us right where we are while calling us farther and deeper.  Here we see that God's justice and God's peace cannot be separated.  Indeed, there is no true peace without real justice. 

Reflection: How do you understand God's justice?  God's peace?  How do you experience God's love and peace in the context of justice?  Where do you see a need for justice in the world?  How is your church a place of both peace and justice?

Invitation to Embodied Prayer:  Take a word or phrase from the psalm and walk, with your body or your imagination.  You may want to breathe deeply with a breath prayer, use this one or allow one to emerge within you.  As you breathe your prayers, can you feel your body enliven with the Spirit?

Breath Prayer for the Day:      
Breathing in … God of Justice  
Breathing out … Bring true Peace

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to Make Me a Channel of Your Peace, sung by Susan Boyle.  This song takes the Prayer of St. Francis and puts it to music.