Category: Psalms

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Eastertide Good Shepherd Gospel Lectio Divina Liturgy Psalms Resurrection Scripture

Into new life.

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The Eastertide readings call us into the new life in the risen Christ. They open us to new horizons and possibilities. This call is especially clear in today’s readings. In the 1st reading Peter shows us how it stretches and challenges our boundaries as he explains his vision:

“I had scarcely begun to speak when the Holy Spirit came down on them in the same way as it came on us at the beginning, and I remembered that the Lord had said, “John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” I realised then that God was giving them the identical thing he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; and who was I to stand in God’s way?“

This encountered changed his worldview, showing him that the good news of the gospel was to be made available to everyone. It leaves no room for outsiders, because it welcomes everyone in. The responsorial psalm speaks to another element of this truth. It reminds us that, however challenging we might find that call we long for it to be a reality from the depths of our hearts:

“Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.”

We can try to fill that yearning with money, possessions, career or success. For a while we can feel fulfilled and satisfied by those things, but soon we realise that it’s not enough. Underneath the apparent satisfaction we become aware of a niggling feeling we want something more regardless of how well we are meeting the goals we set for ourselves.

In the gospel Jesus, the Good Shepherd shows us what we need to do to fill that gap:

“I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.”

He promises that if we listen to his voice, and follow him, our yearnings will be satisfied and we will discover the fullness of new life in his presence.

Where is the risen Christ inviting you to follow him into new life this Eastertide?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Lectio Divina Lent Psalms Scripture

Cry out to God.

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The 38 word in my Lent lexicon is:

CALLED.

There are two aspects of “CALLED” that we reflect on during Lent. The first is God’s call to us. We hear this repeated throughout Lent from Ash Wednesday’s call to return to the God who loves onwards. It is with us throughout Lent.

There is another aspect of “CALLED” that is equally important in Lent. It’s a time for us to acknowledge our need and to call out to God for help. At the burning bush God promises Moses that the cries of suffering people are heard.

We hear this again and again throughout Lent as the people struggle through their desert experience. But the invitation to call on God in times of need and suffering is not only a part of our history, it is an invitation made to each one of us today. Today’s responsorial psalm repeats this invitation:

“In my anguish I called to the Lord; I cried to God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.”

We all face hard times, we all suffer and sometimes feel overwhelmed by our suffering just as the ancient Israelites did. The psalmists’ words are a timely reminder that we too can turn to God in our times of need, trusting that God will hear us and respond to our call.

That offers consolation when we are all too aware of our vulnerability in the face of our challenging and uncertain times.

Where do you feel the need to call out to God for help in your life this Lent?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Gospel Lectio Divina Lent Psalms Rule of St Benedict Scripture

Being Kind

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The 29th word in my Lent lexicon is

KINDNESS.

Kindness is a small word. It carries no great intellectual, theological or spiritual weight. While we might admit the value of kindness many of us would not even think of it as part of a spiritual practice. It doesn’t speak of grand plans, actions or gestures. This can mean means that it’s easily overlooked.

It often relates to small things that we do for one another during the day that we don’t always even notice. Today’s responsorial psalm (144/145), provided the perfect opportunity to reflect this often overlooked practice. The psalmist writes:

“The Lord is kind and full of compassion.”

Often it’s something we recommend to little children, but don’t really think about allowing it consciously to shape our own practices or interactions. I can’t help feeling that this attitude means we miss out on a really valuable practice.

It seems to me that it’s the “smallness” of kindness that makes it possible for us to act on it. To be kind require a lot of energy or a huge amount of resources. It doesn’t mean we have to have answers or solve problems.

Kindness asks one very simple, straightforward thing from us… that we put others before ourselves. To be kind all we have to do is ask ourselves what would make another person feel more comfortable, more loved, more welcome in any given situation.

Yet, those small, seemingly insignificant actions can change lives and lighten burdens in ways we could never imagine.

Where is Christ inviting you to be kind this Lent?

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Benedictine Spirituality Christ Divine Office Lectio Divina Lent Liturgy Psalms Scripture

Yearning for God.

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The 20 word in my Lent lexicon is:

YEARNING.

It’s inspired by psalm 41, today’s responsorial psalm. Generally, I tend to overlook the responsorial psalm, looking first for insights in the other scripture readings. I often miss out on real wisdom and insight by doing that. So today I’m reflecting on these words:

“Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.”

It speaks to that longing that we all feel deep within us most of the time. Sometimes it feels like we’re always looking for something that we never quite find or that we’re always slightly dissatisfied with what we have. It can be unsettling and frustrating at best.

We can try to fill that gap with money, possessions, career or success. In my experience that works to some extent. For a while we can feel fulfilled and satisfied by those things, but after a while we begin to realise that those are not enough. Underneath the apparent satisfaction we become aware of a niggling feeling we want something more regardless of how well we are meeting the goals we set for ourselves.

That underlying discontent can be uncomfortable. We can be tempted to push it aside, trying to fill the gap with more of the same, but that doesn’t often work. Instead we can sit with the discontent & discover its true source is our desire for God. Once we can acknowledge that it can lead us to seek God’s presence in our lives in new & enriching ways.

Where is your yearning for God leading you this Lent?