“Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43

The Psalm prayer for this Psalm brings us the mention of “our joyful participation at your altar” — or as I interpret this, our participation at the table with Holy Communion. This is one of the deepest hurts for me that comes out of this time of “sheltering in place”. As per our “right practice” as Lutherans, we cannot consecrate the communion elements in isolation from the physical gathering of the community of believers — it is part of our understanding of Jesus coming t0 be a part of the bread and wine. And so, during Lent, we have been fasting from Holy Communion for several weeks — and will be for many weeks more.

Yes we are to put our hope in Christ, but agreeing with the Psalmist here, we also trust that “the Lord directs his love” — and there are no barriers that can come between that love — whether it is through prayer, through worship, through mindfulness, or Holy Communion. But in the end, I believe we trip all over ourselves walking over and around the road bumps of “right practice”. Perhaps we will be able to find a way to once again gather as a community, whether virtually or within no more than six feet of one another, to joyfully participate at the altar of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

Almighty Father, source of everlasting light, send forth your truth into our hearts and pour over us the brightness of your light to bring us, through our joyful participation at your altar, to your eternal dwelling on high, where you live and reign now and forever.

Amen.

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, LORD my God,

are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.” Psalm 40:1-10

“Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us”, says the Psalmist. As humans, we tend to be short term observers. In other words, we are really good at worrying about and fussing over the now, but have a harder time looking to the future. Which means, of course, that, though the Lord has plans for each one of us, we are really good at being short-sighted. But, could the Lord have any other options? If you knew, of course, that by the end of your life you will have three houses and plenty of cash in the bank, would or could that change the decisions you make right now? I am afraid it would — and not necessarily for the better.

Of course, the writer of this Psalm states that he was lifted from a “slimy pit — out of the mud and mire; and (the Lord) set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” And this was all possible because, as the Psalmist states, he “waited patiently for the Lord.” None of us want to remain in the pit — in the worst of situations — waiting for the Lord to act. But perhaps that is not what our perspective should be. Rather than looking at is as “waiting, wondering if the Lord will act” — we should focus on “waiting, knowing that the Lord WILL act.”

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, you became obedient to death and your name was exalted above all others. Teach us always to do the Father’s will, so that, made holy by your obedience and united to your sacrifice, we can know your great love in times of sorrow and sing a new song to our God now and forever.

Amen.

April 11th — Psalm 41

“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble. The LORD protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” My enemies say of me in malice,“When will he die and his name perish? ” When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.” Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. But may you have mercy on me, LORD; raise me up, that I may repay them. I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.” Psalm 41

As I look back on my life I have to admit that the people who have hurt me the most, usually have been those whom I considered my closest and most trusted friends. I know my enemies do not want anything good to come of my life — but I do not expect this behavior to come from a friend or Christian “brother” or “sister”.

While it has been said to “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”, perhaps there are times when it would be wise to evaluate your friends on a regular basis. It is most important that we enter all friendships and relationships with eyes open knowing that we are part of a broken race, a fallen humanity where we may be hurt by the ones we love and sadly, even cause hurt to those we love. We must live every day seeking trusting the mercy of G-d, and the love of Jesus so we can offer that love, unconditionally. It is when we lose sight of this love, when try to navigate this life on our own, that we get ourselves in real trouble. The life of the Christian is to give love no matter how little we receive back. That is being conformed to the image of Christ.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, healer of soul and body, you said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Teach us to come to the aid of the needy in a spirit of love, as we have been received and strengthened by you; and to you be the glory and praise now and forever.

Amen.