From the Organ Bench

Psalm 118
The eggs have been colored, hidden and found. Baskets have been filled and
emptied. Strands of Easter grass, like Christmas pine needles, are showing up in
unusual places throughout the house. Fasting gave way to feasting. Easter Sunday
is history. But Easter is far from being over.
The Easter hymn of victory continues to be sung this Sunday. First trumpeted as
the extended Gospel verse of the Easter Vigil; heralding the responsorial psalm of
Easter Sunday and recapitulated again today, Psalm 118 is a touchstone of fulfilled
promise in the emerging faith of first century Christian communities. Psalm 118 is
a News Flash for the chosen nation, the established church (i.e. the priestly clan of
Aaron), and the Gentiles.

Listen up, Israel!

Listen up, House of Aaron!
Listen up, all you who hold the LORD in awesome wonder!
The Resurrection of Jesus is just the beginning!

Jewish listeners would immediately recognize this battle hymn of victory. Psalm
118 is central to the Easter story of Jesus’ resurrection. Even before the written
gospel accounts, this psalm was incorporated into the fiery preaching of the
apostles. Verses 22-23 of Psalm 118 is in Acts 4:11 and I Peter 2:7. Verse 6 of
Psalm 118 is in Hebrews 13:6.

In the earliest written Gospel account, Mark cites verses 25-26 of Psalm 118 in
chapter 11:9. In the next chapter of his gospel, he quotes verses 22-23 (Mk.12:10-
11). Matthew works verses 25 and 26 in his chapter 21:9. Verses 22-23 find their
way in verse 42 of the same chapter. Finally, Matthew repeats verse 26 in chapter
26:24. Luke follows suit, citing Ps.118:26 in his chapter 13:35. The same psalm
verse is alluded to in chapter19:38. Verse 22 is imbedded in Luke 20:17. John
follows the lead of the synoptic gang. He quotes Ps.118:20 in chapter 10:9. Verses
25-26 are found in chapter 12:13.

Now that the hoopla of the Easter Bunny is over, maybe those baskets could be
filled with the satisfying treats of these scripture passages. The Risen Savior
shines on our brokenness today, because He died for our brokenness. The once,
discarded Jesus is still the Cornerstone of the Covenant. The Carpenter from
Nazareth is the Temple of the Creator. The crucified and risen Son of David is the
gate of the LORD.
You are my God,
And I will give thanks to You.
You are my God,
And I (in all of my brokenness) will praise You.

The Risen Jesus invites us to touch him, this day.

Delma Rouleau
2nd Sunday of Easter
1 May 2011