March 29/Monday of Holy Week
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? ~ Ps 27.1
It is Monday morning, the beginning of a momentous week. The hullabaloo of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on what we know as Palm Sunday is over. The donkey has been returned to its owner, the crowds have dispersed, the palms have been swept up. The dark rhythms of time thrum quietly, inexorably; they will build in ominous intensity as the days go by. And in this liminal moment between triumph and suffering, we sing a quiet melody of confidence and trust. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?” And again – the same and yet different – “The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?” There will be plenty to fear in the coming days of Holy Week: betrayal, heartbreak, violence, and the scandalous degradation and shame of Jesus’s death by crucifixion. And there is plenty to fear in our own futures, as disease and death break our hearts, violence of word and deed intrudes into our society in new and frightening ways, shame over family troubles or personal failures dogs us. We are invited today to name the things that we fear and offer them to God. As our ancient poet recites a litany of the threats to his safety — devourers of the flesh, pursuing foes, a hostile army drawing up for battle — his fear yields to faith, and he can affirm joyfully that security and salvation lie in God. As we face the horrors of the Cross and name our deepest fears — job loss, disease, fractured relationships — we, too, follow the light of the Lord into the sanctuary of his presence.
Almighty and eternal God, Grant that I may place my trust in you in the midst of the many fears that assail me. Amen.
For today’s readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032921.cfm
To hear “Lead, Kindly Light,” sung at Arundel Cathedral (U.K.), click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fNjEgbsNmI
