March 20/Fourth Monday of Lent
Solemnity of St. Joseph
The steadfast love of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. ~ Ps 89.2
One of my favorite family stories, told by my father, concerns his grandfather. Wee-Daddy was a genteel agnostic who ferried his portly Aunt Georgie to church every Sunday, waiting in the car until the service was over and he could take her home. One Sunday morning, the stifling heat drove him into the back of the church, where he heard the rector deliver a particularly rousing sermon — and he never missed a Sunday after that. Such stories pass from generation to generation and in their telling and retelling, impart lessons about faith (God can pull you in at any moment in your life) and communicate a family’s ethos (my great-grandfather honored his elders). So, too, with the stories we tell about God. Today’s psalm prompts us to think about how effectively and enthusiastically we are singing of God’s steadfast love, particularly to the next generation. This song we sing is more than lyrics and a melody, of course; we sing of God’s love through the actions we take and the choices we make every day. Do we set aside time for prayer? Do we go to church? Do we spread the love of God not only by how we treat those close to us but by how we help and support those in need? We might reflect on whether we are not only teaching our children, and our children’s children, the rules and obligations of our faith, but also opening their eyes to its deep and abiding joy. Our expressions and experiences of faith may change and evolve over the generations, but the underlying theme is God’s kḥéséd, the steadfast love that supports and accompanies us along the journey. To ground ourselves in that steadfast love and live it out every day of our lives, in ways large and small, is what it means to proclaim our faithfulness to the LORD, through all ages.
Eternal God, our Rock and our Savior, Grant that our words and actions may confirm, sustain, and express our faith in you, from generation to generation. Amen.
To hear the Currende Vocal Ensemble sing “Misericordias Domini” by Orlando di Lasso, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky1_Dy_Dd70
For today’s readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032023.cfm
