Singing Our Faith: Ubi Caritas Deus Ibi Est

Scripture: Psalm 107:1–7, 33–43 (UMH 830)

This week at Central UMC, we welcomed guest preacher Rev. Joanna Dietz, a deacon who ministers in the community—often at farmer's markets and public gatherings—where she makes visible the steadfast love of God.

Rev. Joanna invited us to reflect on Psalm 107, a rich song of thanksgiving and reversal: deserts become springs, the lowly are lifted up, and the weary are led to a place to dwell. Through the lens of monastic life—from the chants of the Benedictines to the humble service of the Franciscans—we explored the tension and balance between personal holiness and social holiness.

We learned how the early monks not only memorized all 150 psalms through chant but also lived out their faith through daily labor, hospitality, and care for the poor. Their monasteries became oases in the wilderness—places of song, prayer, and service.

Rev. Joanna reminded us that in today’s world of doomscrolling, division, and despair, we are still called to create oases of community and compassion. Like the psalmists, we name the desert places—loneliness, hunger, injustice—and trust in God’s transforming love to bring about healing and abundance. Each of us is invited to consider the places we’re called to act, speak out, and stand in solidarity with those on the margins.

This is the rhythm of grace: worship and justice, prayer and protest, solitude and service. The question is not just How is it with your soul? but also How is it with your neighbor?

🌀 Reflection Questions:

1. Are you spending time in scripture and prayer with God and allowing your heart to be transformed to see the world through God’s eyes?
2. How is God calling you to action in response to the fear and scarcity mentality with love, grace, and abundance?
3. How can you live your life balanced by personal holiness with social holiness as you seek solidarity with those who need one with privilege to speak to those in power against injustice?

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