July 16, 2021
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy, we pray with Psalm 116, a lyrical interweaving of thanksgiving and praise.
I love this beautiful psalm which expresses the heart’s overwhelming gratitude for the whole mystery of one’s life.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
Psalm 116:12-13
for all the good God has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
The gratitude is so profound
that we must call on the Holy Spirit
to understand our awed silence
and to pray within us.
This prayer always comes to my mind when one of our Sisters dies. The witness of her life, remembered in our funeral rituals, always stirs me to deeper faith and gratitude.
Precious in your eyes, O LORD
Psalm 116: 15-18
is the death of your faithful one,
your servant, who has freely
and lovingly served you.
To you she has offered the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and called upon your name, O LORD.
Her vows to the LORD she has paid
in the presence of all your people.
It is with perfect timing that this sacred psalm comes up in Friday’s liturgy. At the Motherhouse in Plainfield,NJ, a wonderful Sister of Mercy is laid to rest today – Sister Diane Szubrowski. Her vows to the Lord she has paid – with faith and mercy. May she rest in Glory!
Poetry: Grateful – Thomas Merton
To be grateful
is to recognize
the love of God
in everything.
Music: My Vows to the Lord – John Michael Talbot (lyrics below
My vows to the Lord
I will fulfill
In the presence of all His people
For precious in the eyes of the Lord
Is the sacrifice of love
Is the sacrifice of love
How shall I make a return
For all the good He has done for me
The cup of salvation I will take up
I will call on the name of the Lord
I will call on the name of the Lord
Your servant am I
Your handmaid’s son
Consecrated to the Lord
I will offer a sacrifice
I will call on the name of the Lord
I will call on the name of the Lord
How shall I make a return
For all the good He has done for me
The cup of salvation I will take up
I will call on the name of the Lord
I will call on the name of the Lord
My vows to the Lord
I will fulfill
In the sacrifice of love
Lavish Mercy 