Psalm 14 - Consuming Sorry Substitutes for Community

That is NOT the calling!

NOTE: This week, a friend who was proudly representing the Jewish community at a rally in support of immigrants shared with dismay how she was unkindly interrupted by so-called Pro-Palestinian (anti-Israel) protestors also in attendance. She asked me if I could explain why so many young people from this new generation have latched onto the “Free Palestine” cause with such vehemence that they can become oblivious to other causes deserving our attention and calling for action. While I am ill-equipped to provide a satisfactory answer to that question, perhaps the psalmist can help us give voice to the dismay she experienced, and put her and her concerns in good company.

May we offer ourselves (and model for the next generation) the comfort and joy of engaging and expanding the sense of purpose and belonging that comes with finding our place in community, in beloved communities united by shared values and well-informed convictions that further the causes of fairness, justice, kindness, wisdom, conscience, humility, and love for one and all.

Psalm 14 – Love’s Longing for Leadership / מדריכות

Confounding mind, confused heart. Lost discernment says,
     “There’s no divine justice.
      Goodwill gone bad - disgusting.
      There’s no human-doing good.”
Look at us, how far fallen from our lofty aims!
Are we humans being kind, or wise, 
running to, or from, your calling?
Turning away from each other,
wasting the goodness granted,
there’s no human-doing good, -being kind.
Not a one.

Do we not know better?
Consuming sorry substitutes for community, 
This is not the calling.
That’s fear, fear of fear’s own shadow.
Godly leadership serves the cause of future generations,
heeds the counsel of those humbled by conscience,
for they have taken refuge in your love.

Who?  You?  From where else will salvation come -- 
for Israel, the land and all her people, all who strive for justice?
When we turn to face one another with love, 
fairness and prosperity shall return,
heelers will lead with laughter, strivers will smile with joy. 

FOCUS PHRASES:
“Are we humans being kind or wise?”
כי אלקים בדור צדיק – God is with the generation of the just, or 
                              godly leadership serves justice for future generations
From where else will salvation come [but me]?