“For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
— Hebrews 13:14-16
I am thankful for all who participate in our Lectionary Lunch Wednesdays at Noon on Zoom. We read through four Scripture passages, and share out thoughts, reflections, and questions. This week we paused for a moment to think about Psalm 119:108, “Accept my offerings or praise, O Lord…”
In this section of Psalm 119, the author alternates between recounting afflictions and celebrating attendance upon God. In this back-and-forth, the goodness of God is directed at one’s problems in the way that an ointment is applied to a wound. We talked about how “offering praise” reminds us that praise is something precious we have. The offering of this gift is not something God needs, but something we need to do. Offering praise affirms our relationship with God, and opens a conduit with the Divine.
The author of Hebrews puts this even more clearly, in a way that is particularly applicable to our moment. In this letter, the Hebrews are the “wandering people of God.” They have no permanent earthly home, indeed there is no such thing as “regular life.” They live in extraordinary times, cut off from what has been, and not yet in the place of promise. They are like their ancestors: freed from captivity, but not yet in their homeland, with no permanent place to gather. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds them and us, that even in such circumstances they can still make their offerings and sacrifices to God. They can remember and proclaim who they are through a different kind of sacrifice: a “sacrifice of praise” where they give over their precious pride in praise to God, which rises as the smoke from a burning offering.
An offering we can make to God in this time, our sacrifice of praise is now as it was then: to do good and to share what you have.
Pastor George
Merciful creator, our burden is so heavy right now. We want to do the right thing, but that seems to change on a weekly basis. We feel overwhelmed with painful news and an ever-increasing counting of death. We can’t even connect with you in all the ways we have before. We want this to be over, but we fear what the future will hold. Remind us that you are our rock. You will be with us forever. No matter what may come, your truth will last. Help us to see in the sacrifice of praise that we are yours. Help us to celebrate that connection through our works of mercy and justice. We pray this in the name of Jesus our Savior and friend. Amen.