In ancient times when this psalm was first recorded, the Israelites lived in constant fear of war and experienced great division and tension as various tribes, often competing for limited resources, positioned themselves for survival and sometimes greed. Unfortunately, this also describes our world today as nations, on every continent, struggle for dominance and superiority. And yet, especially during the season of Lent, the deep human desire for peace, unity, and reconciliation keeps resurfacing. It is a prayer that won’t be extinguished. One of the most beautiful manifestations of God’s desire for unity is in the sacrament of marriage. In our Book of Common Prayer, in the liturgy for the celebration and blessing of marriage, there is a string of intercessions held together as beautiful pearls. The gathered community, friends, and family are invited to pray for the newly married couple that they would express this gift of peacemaking and bridge-building: “Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love to this…world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair.” I celebrate the freedom that many couples now enjoy as they choose partners of different “tribes” and begin to break down ethnic, class, and religious barriers that divide the people of God. In marriage we see the prayer for unity and healthy community take an earthly and visible form and point us towards the new life of Easter.
—The Rev. Steve Best
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