Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy, we pray with Psalm 27 which pivots around two themes:
- the first theme in verses 1-6: God’s infinite power and our convinced hope in God’s protection
One thing I ask of the LORD;
Psalm 27: 4-5
this I seek:
To dwell in the LORD’s house
all the days of my life,
To gaze on the LORD’s beauty,
to visit his temple.
For God will hide me in his shelter
in time of trouble,
He will conceal me in the cover of his tent;
and set me high upon a rock.
- the second theme in verses 7-14: a confession of faith and a call to perseverance
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
Psalm 27: 13-14
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
The psalm follows so well on our reading from Thessalonians in which Paul calls upon that community to:
trust
hope
believe
persevere
These practices are the linchpins of a vibrant faith. They hold us fast to God’s heart, allowing us to live in God’s house – and God in ours.
Our Gospel today shows us that it is certainly possible for dark spirits to take up residence in our hearts. Praying a prayer like Psalm 27 puts a watchman on our heart’s door, inviting the Holy One alone to live at our core.
Poetry: Covenant – Margaret Halaska, OSF
God knocks at my door seeking a home for his son. Rent is cheap, I say. I don’t want to rent. I want to buy, says God. I’m not sure I want to sell, but you might come in and look around. I think I will, says God. I might let you have a room or two. I like it, says God. I’ll take the two. You might decide to give me more some day. I can wait, says God. I’d like to give you more, but it’s a bit difficult. I need some space for me. I know, says God, but I’ll wait. I like what I see. Hm, maybe I can let you have another room. I really don’t need that much. Thanks, says God, I’ll take it. I like what I see. I’d like to give you the whole house but I’m not sure … Think on it, says God. I wouldn’t put you out. Your house would be mine and my son would live in it. You’d have more space than you’d ever had before. I don’t understand at all. I know, says God, but I can’t tell you about that. You’ll have to discover it for yourself. That can only happen if you let me have the whole house. A bit risky, I say. Yes, says God, but try me. I’m not sure – I’ll let you know. I can wait, says God, I like what I see.
Music: Psalm 27 – Marc Antoine Charpentier
This Latin chant is noted here as Psalm 26 which would have been its designation in the Vulgate translation of the Bible in Charpentier’s era.)
Lavish Mercy 