Sunday 30 March 2014

Sunday 30th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.

Psalm 4



5            Those who were in charge of my soul came together to make their plans.
6            They went out to discuss them together.









Reflection


When we know something is being planned around us, but we are excluded from the conversations, it makes us cautious and perhaps nervous.  One response we may have is to try and find ways into knowing what is happening.  Is that what you do?


Saturday 29 March 2014

Saturday 29th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.
Psalm 4


3            My enemies have trampled on me all day long-there were many of    them warring against me!
4            My enemies were all planning evil things against me, and they said terrible things about me.








Reflection


I suspect we've all been here at some point in our lives.  How do you react, when you hear terrible things about yourself?

Friday 28th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”

Psalm 4



1            Have mercy on me, God, for men have trampled me underfoot.
2            All day long they have fought me and oppressed me.









Comment

The psalmist has been struggling and seeks nothing but mercy from God.  God’s mercy will sustain and strengthen in the difficult times.

Reflection

When faced with a similar situation, which do we seek, mercy or to be rescued

Thursday 27th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”


Psalm 3

15          O God. You are exalted above the Heavens, and your Glory is above the earth.







Comment

There is no question about or where and who God is. A statement of faith, belief but also one of knowledge.

Reflection


We know this, instinctively, but do we actually give voice to it?

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Wednesday 26th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.
St Francis’ Psalm 3



13          Rise up. Cithara and harp - I will awake the Dawn!
14          I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord, and I will sing a psalm among the nations, for your mercy reaches to the Heavens and your truth to the skies.






Comment

Musical instruments and praise are the psalmist’s proclamations of God’s mercy and grace.

Reflection


God’s mercy is all encompassing and no places is excluded from it.  Why is it then that we fail to see this, and in some cases work against God’s mercy and grace?

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Tuesday 25th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.
Psalm 3


11          I will sing and proclaim a psalm.
12          Rise up, O my Glory!








Comment

Joy abounds in the psalmist’s heart.  Singing and proclamation are the outward signs of the internal celebration.

Reflection

We often sing, either by ourselves, or in groups.  But I suspect not many of us would think of reciting a psalm instead or as well.  I wonder if that is because, we think of them as Holy Scripture and so reserve them only for use in our liturgies?


Monday 24 March 2014

Monday 24th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.

Psalm 3



9            They have dug a pit for me and
              have fallen in it themselves!
10          My heart is ready. O Lord, my heart is ready.







Comment

Those who would do harm are trapped by their own schemes.  The Psalmist is prepared and waiting for God, waiting, without doubt and with careful preparation for the rich mercy that flows from the divine.
We, in our humanity, sometimes may take delight in the fall of those who are opposed to us.  But to focus, or rejoice in their fall, is to place us far from the grace of God.

Reflection


How do you prepare your heart for God’s grace?

Sunday 23 March 2014

Sunday 23rd March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.

Psalm 3



          7 The Lord has sent down his mercy and his truth, and he has snatched me away from my powerful foes; and from those who hate me, who have banded together against me.
         8 They have prepared a snare for my feet, and have oppressed my soul.




Comment
The psalmist knows God will come and help. There is no doubt here. Those who have harmed will not be able to continue doing so, for divine help is available.

Reflection

We often lose sight of the certainty of God.  We know in our hearts, but in our minds we doubt. The two need to be kept in unison. Are you good at keeping them unified?

Saturday 22nd March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.
Psalm 3



5            He has sent from heaven and set me free.
6            He has put to shame those who have crushed me.








Comment
The psalmist is confident, sure and doubtless that help will come.  Those who have been oppressors will find the tables turned. it’s a triumphant- shout amidst the gloom.

Reflection

Have heart, take confidence in your faith and your God.

Friday 21 March 2014

Friday 21st March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.
Psalm 3


3. I shall trust in the shadow of your wings until iniquity passes me by.

4. I shall cry out to my Father, the Lord most high who has been ever gracious to me.






Comment


When wings cover us, we can lose sight of the sun, and all seems dark.  But in this shade we are protected, no harm will befall us.  Sometimes, the dark is actually not dark at all.

Reflection


Have you been similarly mistaken in the past? When did you realise it?

Thursday 20th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.


Psalm 3

1. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
2. Because my soul trusts in you.







Comment


The psalmist knows that mercy flows from God. The soul of the Psalmist thirsts, trusts and knows this, even the Psalmist gives voice in agreement.


Reflection



When we seek God’s mercy, we perhaps wonder if it will arrive.  Do you agree this is the effect of our doubt?

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Wednesday 19th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.
Psalm 2




15          You are my most Holy Father, my King and my God incline to my aid, Lord God of my salvation.








Comment
In spite all that has befallen the psalmist, nothing has shaken the faith, trust and commitment to God.

Reflection

Faith like this is not difficult, but it does require a steadfast commitment. How is yours?

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Tuesday 18th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.



Psalm 2
13          I have been taken for one of those who go down into the lake.
14          I have been loosed among the dead like a man without help.







Comment

More than simple mistaken identity, the Psalmist stands accused and condemned. No simple confusion but a deliberate act. Driven there by the deeds and actions of others.

Reflection


We have probably all felt times when we were wrongly accused.  But have you ever been on the other side, on the same side as those wrongly accusing?

Monday 17 March 2014

Monday 17th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.
Psalm 2



11          And I endured it when one person who should have sympathised with me, did not, and when I could not find anybody to console me.
12          God, wicked men have risen against me, and the whole gathering of them sought to have my soul, and they did not keep you before their eyes.





Comment

The psalmist stands alone in a crowd. People on every side, not supporting, but intent of causing harm.  The Psalmist knows that these people have lost sight of their faith, and possibility in the process also sight of their God.

Reflection


We run the same danger when we look to cause harm or mischief.  Are you careful in your actions?

Sunday 16 March 2014

Sunday 16th March

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.


Psalm 2

9            Those who oppress me are before your eyes.
10          My heart has grown accustomed to unhappiness and reproaches.







Comment

There is no need to name the people, God knows who they are.  Even though the psalmist is saddened by the knowledge that those who are the oppressors are known.

Reflection

We often want to identify people and then to apportion blame.  This is human and perhaps expected in todays’ highly secular world.  But the psalmist is pointing to another reality.  Would you be content to leave the names with God?


Saturday 15 March 2014

Saturday 15th march

“St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.



Psalm 2
7            From my mother's womb you have been my God, do not leave me alone.
8            you know how I am reproached, how confused I am, and how much I revere you.








Comment

The psalmist has no doubt. There is no wavering, in either faith or reliance on God.

Reflection


Are you as devoted?  Can you make the same statements without any hesitation?

Friday 14 March 2014

Wednesday 12th March

 “St Francis Rejecting the World 
and Embracing Christ”.

Psalm 2

1. Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried before you by day and by night.
2. Let my prayer come into your presence.







Comment

The psalmist sobbing his heart out before God day and night, too inarticulate to put his prayer into words nevertheless, knew that he prayed and prays for his prayer to come into God’s presence.  

Reflection


In our grief or desperation help us  to remember that during our hours of need the Spirit prays in our stead. God hears the falling tears just as he hears the spoken word

Br Andrew EFO