Friday, April 18, 2014

Psalm 22 (Friday)

Year A - Good Friday or Annihilation Friday
April 18, 2014


One might almost think that a goodly portion of the Paschal Triduum is based on Hebrew Scripture quotes, repurposed with a twist, to make Jesus a G*D. Quoting the Psalms might make us want to take a look at them in their own right, but with these quotes it is more likely the Gospel writers were redefining the Psalms rather than honoring them.

At best we can play along with Nikos Kazantzakis’ Last Temptation of Christ and remember the first temptations after Jesus’ baptism were all responded to with quotes from the scriptures of Jesus’ time. The quotes drive us back to the originals. Note the Jewish tradition to read this Psalm on Purim, a celebration of the saving of a later exiled community. Thus Psalm 22 is a communal psalm, not an individual one; it is a psalm of community restoration, not about a Messiah.

For this year, re-view the last verses,
In such a time as this, so live today that a people yet unborn will have echoes of steadfast love and affirmations that new life is already present if they are willing to risk their personal life for the benefit of all.


No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for blessing us with your response.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.