Psalm 129
“They have pressed me hard from my youth,”
this is Israel’s song.
“They have pressed me hard from my youth
but could never destroy me.
They ploughed my back like ploughmen,
drawing long furrows.
But the Lord who is just, has destroyed
the yoke of the wicked.”
Let them be shamed and routed,
those who hate Zion!
Let them be like grass on the roof
that withers before it flowers.
With that no reapers fill their arms,
no binders make their sheaves
and those passing by will not say:
“On you the Lord’s blessing!”
“We bless you in the name of the Lord.”
Reflection
I’m not sure how old I was when I first encountered the word ‘schadenfreude’, certainly old enough to realise words were a delight.
The English language doesn’t really have a ready equivalent (epicaricacy doesn’t roll off the tongue so easily) but we all recognise the sense of gloating when someone who has been persecuting us gets their comeuppance. It might be over something quite trivial – whoever keeps pinching the custard creams at the neighbourhood drop-in. Or it may be something that has a lasting and damaging effect: years of bullying by a neighbour or local children, or an oppressive political party in power. Sometimes it is not persecution but differences: in customs, in language, in world views and interpretations. Malicious glee is not something we are good at admitting to in church circles, we are supposed to be above it. But, let’s be honest, too often our first reaction to our persecutor falling foul of justice, however it is served, is exactly like the Psalmist: let them whither before harvest’.
It becomes especially difficult when our society encourages this, we can become lone-voices and if we manage to avoid the gloating, then we are teased, at best, or mocked and alienated, for trying a different way of understanding.
It takes thought, prayer and particularly self-awareness to move beyond our psalmist and pray for those who have oppressed us. It takes recognition and support to challenge bullying and persecution, because if we are not directly involved it is easier to look away, although we may still celebrate when they got what was coming to them.
Perhaps we need to start with the small stuff: custard creams anyone? (Other varieties are available).
Prayer
Dear God,
help us to recognise that we are all made in your image,
even when that thought is challenging to hold.
Remind us that it starts with small things
where we learn to work together s
o that later we discern when difference is not persecution,
and, where there is persecution,
to confront it and work for healing with all involved.