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Psalm 23 – New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I 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 overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Philippians 4:1-9 – New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

4 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers,

whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them,

and the God of peace will be with you.

The 23rd Psalm evokes comfort, which is what so much of the world needs this week.

This is a familiar scripture for many of us. Some of you memorized this ‘by heart’ as children. It is a well-loved passage, one that we recite at sick beds, in times of distress, at funerals.

This morning I invite everyone to recite the 23rd Psalm with me, either from memory, or from a pew Bible, or the scripture printed in the bulletin (different translations, but that is okay).

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I 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 overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

I trust that we all need the same things this week. To be held while the world is spinning out of control. While none of us are promised that we will be spared sickness, or injury, or even death, we are promised that we will not bear these things alone. Paul promises that very thing in verse five. He writes, “The Lord is near.” Paul goes on to say, 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” These are also words of comfort for our times in need.

The onset of war between Hamas and Israel, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, gave me cause this week to reflect back on the life of my friend Cheri. She spent her life working for peace and justice. She was throughout her life a social worker, a community organizer, a police officer, a lawyer, a prison administrator, a Buddhist monk, and the co-founder of Madison, Wisconsin’s Center for Mindfulness and Justice. Oh, and when I met her about four decades ago, she was a darned good infielder on my softball team.

My thoughts wandered to Cheri this week as I was pondering the overwhelming violence, evil, and chaos happening around the world, especially to the people of Israel and Gaza. I wish that Cheri were here bringing her wisdom and diplomacy to the situation in which we find ourselves. I wondered how she would approach those on each side of this current war. Her past history gives me some idea.

For a police officer, domestic disturbances are the most dangerous calls to respond to. The two people are at odds. The officer may walk into a situation that involves physical assault, weapons, judgment clouded by drugs and alcohol. The most dangerous part? When the two adversaries temporarily unify and turn against the officer.

Cheri found herself at the scene of more than one domestic disturbance; but one stood out during her career. A female had called 911 requesting help because her male companion was being abusive. Things were really ugly when Cheri arrived. The man, a hulk of a guy, was angry and threatening. The woman was injured but defending her companion by the time Cheri arrived, not wanting him to be arrested. WI had a mandatory arrest law in domestic violence situations. Cheri spoke calmly to the two while reading the room. The woman was on one side of it and the man on the other, still threatening. What does Cheri do? She steps toward the man, gun holstered on her belt, and offers the man a hug. Cheri bear hugs him – and he breaks down in tears – becomes apologetic and compliant. Obviously, very unorthodox – not something that is taught at the Police Academy – in fact, Cheri was disciplined for her action. She, however, never regretted or second guessed herself on that call. This man was rarely, if ever, shown acts of kindness, rarely if ever shown love in his life.

Why did I think of Cheri this week? Will hugs solve any wars? I don’t suggest trying this on the battlefield. But maybe, it will cause us to think, and re-think our approaches to violence and conflict.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he is addressing a fractured or fracturing community. He urges them to put aside their differences for the good of the whole. Paul’s letter to the Philippians was a call for unity within the church. It can be extrapolated to our wider world.

According to Paul, in a letter written to the Ephesians (4:3), (Christian) unity is maintained, rather than attained. It is an ongoing process. Also according to Paul, the source of unity is through the Holy Spirit. And unity is kept through the practices of peace.

Officer Maples, Cheri, brought her whole self to her work. I share this “scripture” written by Cheri as part of the process of being ordained as a Buddhist monk.

The Police Officer Gatha, by Cheri Maples (Gatha is a Sanksrit word for song or verse)

Breathing in, I know that mindfulness is the path to peace.

Breathing out, I know that peace is the path to mindfulness.

Breathing in, I know that peace is the path to justice.

Breathing out, I know that justice is the path to peace.

Breathing in, I know my duty is to provide safety and protection to all beings.

Breathing out, I am humbled and honored by my duty as a peace officer.

Breathing in, I choose mindfulness as my armor and compassion as my weapon.

Breathing out, I aspire to bring love and understanding to all I serve.

I wholeheartedly believe that our military, our prisons, our state and local police – and the people that they serve – would be better served – better protected – if they came to their work with this compassion and love and mindfulness.

Cheri was interviewed many times during her career as a peace keeper. A journalist once tried to sum up Cheri by using one word: courage. ( The courage of Cheri Maples - Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin )

Peace-making is risky business. It certainly requires courage. Let us pray that we and our leaders have the courage to risk peace.

Amen

Rev. TJ Mack – October 15, 2023