March 13/First Thursday of Lent
On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. ~ Ps 138.3
Many years ago, when I was a graduate student in an ancient British university, I would wander of an afternoon into my college’s cathedral for Evensong. With candles flickering against the damp dark of the declining day, the boys’ and men’s choir sang the psalm verses antiphonally. One side issued the call from the carved choir stall on the left: “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart.” From their robed counterparts across the aisle, an immediate response: “for you have heard the words of my mouth.” The first group begins the thought: “For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly.“ The second group finishes it: “but the haughty he perceives from far away.” To me, the responsive interplay and the rhythmic regularity of the antiphonal dance mirror the loving intimacy and rock-solid reliability of our covenantal relationship with God. Underlying all our prayers, whether they are prayers of petition, intercession, contrition, or thanksgiving, is the sure and certain knowledge that God loves us and will answer our call. This does not necessarily mean that our specific wishes will be granted, but it does mean that God hears us and will respond at the time and in the manner of his choosing. As our friend the 19th-century theologian and scholar John Henry Cardinal Newman prayed, “God leads us by strange ways; we know He wills our happiness, but we neither know what our happiness is, nor the way. We are blind; left to ourselves we should take the wrong way; we must leave it to Him.” God’s response may not always be what we are expecting, but if we allow it, it will strengthen our souls and fortify our hearts.
All-hearing and all-loving LORD, Give me implicit and abiding trust that you will answer me on the day I call. Amen.
For today’s readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031325.cfm
To hear Psalm 138 chanted by the Westminster Abbey Choir, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNqvpM2MFYM
