Love is My Wound
- davidwperk
- Oct 14, 2024
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, October 14. 2024
Proper 23, the week of the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.\
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
7:1Woe is me! For I have become like one who, after the summer fruit has been gathered, after the vintage has been gleaned, finds no cluster to eat; there is no first-ripe fig for which I hunger. . . . 5Put no trust in a friend, have no confidence in a loved one; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your embrace; 6for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; your enemies are members of your own household.
You will find the full text of today’s Hebrew Scripture reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 989)
AM Psalm 1, 2, 3; PM Psalm 4, 7
Micah 7:1-7; Acts 26:1-23; Luke 8:26-39
Today we celebrate the Feast of Samuel I. J. Schereschewsky. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
Theodore Roethke captures the spirit of love feeling alone and empty in this strophe from “What Can I Tell My Bones?”
Mist alters the rocks. What can I tell my bones?
My desire's a wind trapped in a cave.
The spirit declares itself to these rocks.
I'm a small stone, loose in the shale.
Love is my wound. *
The prophet Micah “talks to his bones” in today’s reading. Community had deserted him, and he felt starved as a result. He painted the word picture of loss of community as a fruit orchard picked over and unfruitful. He felt alienated from his fellow Israelites because he experienced them as greedy and exploitive, as predators feeding on one another, especially feeding on the weak and helpless.
The fabric of community in his society was tattered by conflict, exploitation, and competitiveness in families and in the society at large. To be vulnerable in relationships seemed foolish to him, a sure-fire prelude to being “had,” to being used and exploited. How sad to be forced to guard your words and keep your distance even within your own home.
Jesus drew on the same image of community as a grape vineyard, a vineyard in which he was the root vine and his followers, branches bearing fruit. In such a community one would be nourished not only by Jesus himself but also by those drawing on his life and grace. (See Isaiah 5; John 15.)
People starve for genuine connection and community, for an emotionally safe place to be and to become, to fail and to begin anew. We pray for and live toward more meaningful community within our own faith communities, toward being a safe emotional and spiritual haven where people find nourishment in each other and find deep connection with each other. In such a community it would not be necessary to “guard the doors of your mouth” (see verse 5 above) and you could do the reverse of “put no trust in a friend” (verse 5).
For Micah, to quote Roethke, love had become a wound. He had learned to reinforce his boundaries and live in isolation. He had discovered that his relationship with God was the only one that never would fail him (see verse 7). He longed for a community in which love would nurture the soul like fresh fruit does the body.
We share that longing. In loving community with growing connection to others, we will feel like we are walking in a fruitful garden and no longer resemble a “small stone loose in the shale.”
* Theodore Roethke, The Collected Poems of Theodore Roethke (New York: Doubleday, 1966), pp. 181-183.
Collect of the Day: Proper 23, the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 234-235)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Samuel I. J. Schereschewsky, scholar, translator, bishop (died 15 Oct 1906 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Samuel I J Schereschewsky
O God, who in your providence called Joseph Schereschewsky to the ministry of this church and gave him the gifts and the perseverance to translate the Holy Scriptures: Inspire us, by his example and prayers, to commit our talents to your service, confident that you uphold those whom you call; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
Of the Holy Spirit
Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 251)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)
Daily Office Old Testament Reading, Micah 7:1-7
7:1Woe is me! For I have become like one who, after the summer fruit has been gathered, after the vintage has been gleaned, finds no cluster to eat; there is no first-ripe fig for which I hunger. 2The faithful have disappeared from the land, and there is no one left who is upright; they all lie in wait for blood, and they hunt each other with nets. 3Their hands are skilled to do evil; the official and the judge ask for a bribe, and the powerful dictate what they desire; thus they pervert justice. 4The best of them is like a brier, the most upright of them a thorn hedge. The day of their sentinels, of their punishment, has come; now their confusion is at hand. 5Put no trust in a friend, have no confidence in a loved one; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your embrace; 6for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; your enemies are members of your own household.
7 But as for me, I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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