"Good News/Bad News"
a condensed version of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.

PODCAST of "Good News/Bad News"

Repetition:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."

I’ve said these words from Psalm 19 and I’ve heard them more times than I can count – usually as a short prayer before a preacher starts the sermon.

Rev. Beth Quick, pastor of Franklin Lakes United Methodist Church in New Jersey, has heard it, too. Here’s what she says in this week’s lectionary notes:

"This verse is often used by pastors before they begin preaching. I like it, but if there's a way to use a Bible verse too much to the point of over doing, this one makes it on my personal list!"

I’ve heard of, and experienced the ‘dulling’ or powerful words when they’ve been repeated so often that they don’t seem to hold any meaning anymore. But I’ve also experienced the profound comfort that comes when I can think of nothing else except for what I have repeated to the point of not only memorization, but subconscious internalization.

When I’m in a place where I have no words, the words I’ve repeated so often are present – providing a way for me to, in that moment, have a profoundly powerful encounter with God.

When we hear something repeated . . . over and over . . . it ends up deep in our memories – so deep that when we can’t think of much else it is still there:

• How do you spell relief? R-O-L-A-I-D-S
• Just do it. – Nike
• Where's the beef? – Wendy’s
• My Bologna has a first name . . . – Oscar Mayer
• It melts in your mouth- not in your hands... M&Ms
• Priceless – Master Card
• Can you hear me now? Good - Verizon

None of those phrases are profound – but you do remember them. You may not think of them often, but as soon as you hear them you remember what they are for. And I think that you probably get an image of the message they were or are trying to get across as you said them.

Are those phrases worth remembering? Regardless – you did. Why? Repetition!

But there are so many things worth repeating and remembering.

Here are some you probably know by heart:

Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.

 

Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let thy gifts to us be blessed.

Martin Luther

 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen

 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host:

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23

 

And maybe a few you know well or have at least heard of.

 

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

 

You must be the change you want to see in the world. Gandhi

 

In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.

Mother Teresa

No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey – you’re welcome here,

We’ve had an invitation to pray the Psalms during this Lenten season. This week at choir practice, Brian Hale told me about the Benedictine monks, who, since the early 6^th century have prayed the Psalms daily. And they were following a practice that began with early Christians – following the practices of the people of Israel before them. And as we continue to pray the Psalms during this Lenten season (Psalm 24, Psalm 19 so far – Psalm 107 next week) in addition to reading the Psalm, thinking about it – reading it again – acknowledging the parts that resonate with you and the parts you are uncomfortable with, start to find words or phrases in the Psalms that you can repeat . . . again and again. Repeat them until it seems they have no meaning. Let them become words that are embedded so deep in your memory that when you cannot find the words, they will be there – helping you to pray.

The bad news – you’ll be repeating some phrases so often you may wish, like you would with a song, that you can just get it out of your head.

The good news – the words will be there for you when you can think of no other way to talk to God.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Amen.

© 2009 Union Congregational Church, All Rights Reserved