Thoughts for the Day

How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
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.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life for evermore.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Psalm 133 is another Psalm of Ascents, sung as pilgrims ascended the hill to Jerusalem and the Temple. If this was written by King David, we should remember he had many sons by different wives, so his words no doubt had meaning for them. They were to live in harmony!

We too are bidden to live in peace with one another, which is not so easy as it sounds. Jesus said we should love each other, but sometimes we don't love ourselves, so find it difficult to love one another. We can be full of anger, frustration, or bitterness and solely concerned with ourselves, so that we cannot find internal love, and there is little hope that we shall be able to love others. Perhaps we need to admit failure and turn to God in prayer, asking for His help in quietening the feelings within us, and allowing us to like ourselves.

Loving others, particularly those close to us can be difficult, we all know this. It takes patience, and understanding not to say hurtful things or to keep a feud going. The old adage of settling a quarrel before going to bed can help, as can counting to ten (or a 100?) before answering someone back. But the most helpful is putting oneself in another's shoes. How might they be feeling? Can we change what we do or say? Ultimately, it is God who can help us - but the rewards of peace are tremendous!

Heavenly Father,
You call us to live in peace and harmony,
copying the perfect relationship
of the Trinity.
May we learn to love and live together
in perfect happiness with those around us,
that Your world may resound to the sounds
of joy and happiness.
Amen.