In this sermon, Pastor Sally explores the challenge of self-acceptance. This has never been an issue for old-time religion, with its focus on sin, punishment and guilt. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) But real life is full of ambiguities, and a religion for our times has to recognize and deal with all the aspects of our selves. Rather than the old book of laws, Sally finds guidance in Psalm 139, which is essentially a prayer for self-acceptance, and in William Blake’s “The Tyger.” Their message: God made the Tiger and the Lamb, so we should feel free to bring our whole selves to God in prayer.
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?In what distant deeps or skies,
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp,
Dare its deadly terrors clasp!When the stars threw down their spears
And water’d heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?William Blake