The music of Psalm 118 celebrates turned tables – two well known phrases “The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever” and “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” appear here.
This alludes to something of the subversive nature of lived out faith. “Subversion refers to an attempt to transform the established social order and its structures of power, authority, and hierarchy…” (See full Wikipedia article here). The article gives many instances and examples of harmful subversion, whereas today’s Psalm points towards subversion towards an integral and wholesome society.
Indeed transforming social order has been both the intention and the outcome of the spread and acceptance of the Christian story – beginning with the teachings of Jesus, his acts of compassion, the manner of his living, the ignominy of his death, and the power of his resurrection demonstrated in the transformed lives of his early followers through to the present day. All of this is subversive!
Any strategy, program, policy, project, action or campaign that does not meet the criteria spelled out by Jesus in his teachings, actions and life is fair game for subversive action, underpinned by the “steadfast love of the Lord [that] endures forever” as “the stone that the builders rejected” takes its place as the foundation block for a transformed society.
It’s a work in progress!
Wondering Pilgrim 