Psalm 133
1 How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.
~
We celebrate Easter for a whole season in the Church. It's called Eastertide, and it's flat out wonderful! Eastertide is about celebrating the resurrected life we've been given in Christ. Standing on this side of Easter, it may seem odd to shine a spotlight on one of the shortest Psalms, Psalm 133. What does oil on a beard and dew on grass have to do with the resurrection? Psalm 133, a pilgrimage song, begins with the joyful line, "How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!" (Ps. 133:1)
Unity is indeed very good, and yet so difficult to achieve. We may feel that unity is especially challenging to find and maintain these days, though when hasn't it been? The ancient wisdom of Psalm 133 makes clear that kindred are kindred no matter whether unity has been attained. God created us to be in relationship, just as the three persons of the holy Trinity dance in eternal relationship. In the spectacular glow of Easter, the resurrection summons us to live as kin. The God who brings us into new life calls upon us to share in that life with others. Heaven isn't a solitary, cloistered place; it is life abundant within in the messiness of community.
Going Forth Prayer: Risen Lord, we thank you for the gift of Eastertide. May we see all the Church as kindred, called to live in your light together. Amen.
