March 7/Second Tuesday of Lent “When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself?I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.” ~ Ps 50.21 When my children were in middle school, their English teacher was notoriously exacting. So granular and numerous were Ms. G’s edits, scrawled…
Song 11: Forget and Forgive
March 6/Second Monday of Lent Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low! ~ Ps 79.8-9 Sometimes, when I am lying awake in the middle of the night, I begin to replay some of the sinful, shameful moments of my life: the times that I withdrew…
Song 10: If Only
March 4/First Saturday of Lent You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently; O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ~ Ps 119.4 In the past year or so, I have tried to be more faithful about attending 8 a.m. Mass during the week. The simplicity and quietude of the daily Eucharist is deeply nourishing…
Song 9: The Judgment Seat
March 3/First Friday of Lent If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. ~ Ps 130.3-4 Aided and abetted by cultural forces that need no rehearsing here, we have become breathtakingly judgmental of the perceived flaws and errors of others — and not shy about voicing those judgments…
Song 8: Call and Response
March 2/First Thursday of Lent On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. ~ Ps 138.3 Call and Response Many years ago, when I was a graduate student in a British university, I would wander of an afternoon into the college’s chapel for Evensong. With candles flickering against the damp dark of the declining…
Song 7: Makeover
March 1/First Wednesday of Lent A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. ~ Ps 51.12 Makeover Years ago when I was living in New York, I would walk through grand department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue or Lord & Taylor and wish that I had the courage to sit down at one…
Song 6: The Hospitality Suite
February 28/First Tuesday of Lent Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. ~ Ps 34.4 A friendly “hello” to visitors after Mass. A weekly church supper that draws seniors, neighbors, and students from the nearby college campus. A colorful banner hoisted on the church portico welcoming visitors to the religious services within. These are but a…
Song 5: Practice Makes Perfect
February 27/First Monday of Lent The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul.The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. ~ Ps 19.8-9 Although it has been many years, I remember with crystalline clarity those early days (and nights) with a newborn. As I walked the floors in the wee hours with a wakeful…
Song 4: A User Guide
February 25/Saturday after Ash Wednesday Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you.Be gracious to me, O LORD, for to you do I cry all day long.Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift…
Song 3: The Three Rs
February 24/Friday after Ash Wednesday Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit. ~ Ps 51.4, 5, 19 Early in the quarantine phase of the pandemic, when we were cooped up in unaccustomed and unrelenting proximity…