Categories: uncategorized
Date: 25 July 2012 12:45:32
We had a man from the local Amnesty centre come to talk to us. He basically took the sermon slot. He talked about a monk in Burma who had been supported by Amnesty and that the local chapter was taking particular interest in. He had been sentenced to 60 years in prison for sitting in the road, but with the new atmosphere of collaboration and freedom, had been released. No body now knows where he is. As we were off lectionary for this service (meaning that we weren't using the readings prescribed by the Church of England), our vicar told me that I could choose my own reading. I chose Psalm 23 - THe Lord is My Shepherd. I find it very comforting, and those seeking justice are in the midst of a struggle, so a source of comfort and strength is important. Also, I usually prefer my Good News Bible, modern language version when I read. However, I just felt that the traditional version was what I had to go with. I don't know why. I just did.
Psalm 23
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Lord the Shepherd of His People
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell[a] in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Footnotes:a.Psalm 23:6 Following Septuagint, Syriac, Targum, and Vulgate; Masoretic Text reads return.