psalm 82: memento mori - 32nd week Wednesday 2017

Psalm 82 speaks of God attending the meeting or the council of the gods.  Who are these so-called gods?  They are actually the rulers and judges of the nations but the psalmist calls them gods because they act as if they are above accountability, they act as if they are not answerable to anyone, they neglect their duties without any thought or care for the people they should serve.  They did not defend the lowly and the fatherless.  They did not render justice to the afflicted and the destitute and they did not rescue the lowly and the poor.

For this the Lord punished them saying, You are gods, all of you sons of the Most High; yet like men you shall die.

The best way to stay focus in life is to remind ourselves that we are mortals, that we are not gods, that we cannot forever hold on to power, we cannot remain popular forever.   One day we will lose our memory.  For now, we may be in control of people but a time will come when we will no longer be in control even of our bladders.

The reminder that we are mortals makes us more responsible and accountable.  And it makes us humble.   In ancient times a roman general would  be accorded a parade when he returns to Rome victorious.  It would be one big parade with the general decked in shining armor, riding on his chariot.  But it is said that as the parade winds through the city of Rome an aide of the general rides with him on the chariot and keeps on whispering to his ears the words – memento mori – remember you will die.  Allow the thought of death to determine what you do and what you say and what you think.

Psalm 82 is our own memento mori, a reminder that we are mortals and one day we will die.