5 Jun 2023
A Hymn, a Poem, a Blessing
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For 5 June 2023, Monday of week 9 in Ordinary Time, based on PS 112: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures for ever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered for ever.
Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
05 June 2023 @ 6:57 am
Is it OK to use the word “one instead of “man” so I can feel included. I am a woman.
06 June 2023 @ 12:00 am
Dear anonymous,
Thank you for the comment. Yes, this is a tricky thing, and there are many opinions. Our preacher today probably felt that the “safest” thing to do was to use the text as it is in the lectionary. On the site, I add the reading, and in that translation (NRSV) it pluralised the reading (“happy are they”) so that you are not stuck when you try to use a singular pronoun (“he”? “she”? “they”?). But there is also an argument to be made to not try to “fix up” the sexist language of a reading because you cover up the sexist thinking behind it.
So, we as a church are discussing these things, and have yet to come to a conclusion about them. I appreciate, therefore, you adding your voice to the discussion. May God bless our discussion and our discernment.
The Editor
06 June 2023 @ 3:11 pm
Odd to split hairs on pronouns in the context of beliefs intended to unite. It’s just another way to divide, based on self, rather than focusing on “other.” In heaven there is no he/she/it. We are all simply children on God. Embrace your part.