She is reflecting on Psalm 15, and she follows closely the subtle shifts and turns in the text of the psalm. Here in this ancient text, we can hear the wisdom of our spiritual ancestors as they respond to the question of whether God's kindness to us depends on our demonstration of ethical behaviors in our daily life.
Dr. Moore-Keish's reading of Psalm 15 leads her to suggest that our ethical actions are indeed profoundly important, both to God and to the world, and yet she emphasizes that all of our healing, liberating actions spring from a deep well of divine grace that we could never earn:
"It is not because of [our] behavior that [we] are granted admission; it is because [we] are rooted in God's presence that [we] show God's own gracious, steadfast character." (p.271)
God's grace and welcome and kindness come first.
This is how God is.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
Notes
From Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship, Year B, Volume 3, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 2021, p.271.