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…
Song 2: It’s the Journey
February 23/Thursday after Ash Wednesday Blessed are those who follow not the counsel of the wicked, Nor walk in the way of sinners, nor sit in the company of the insolent; But they delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on his law day and night. ~ Ps 1.1-2 “Are we there yet?” Before the omnipresence of those…
Song 1: Mercy Me
February 22/Ash Wednesday Have mercy on me, God, according to your steadfast love;according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. ~ Ps 51.3 If there is any doubt that today we cross the threshold from Ordinary Time to the season of penitence, the opening verse of Psalm 51 from the Ash Wednesday liturgy puts it to rest. “Have mercy,”…
Songs for Lent: Daily Reflections on the Psalms
Ash Wednesday, which begins the penitential season of Lent, is on Wednesday, February 22. For the 10th year, I will be offering “Songs for Lent,” daily reflections on a psalm verse or verses from the daily lectionary, enhanced with images and music, a link to the readings, and a prayer. This year, the reflections will explore what the Psalms can…
Keeping Advent 28: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
December 24/Fourth Saturday of AdventChristmas Eve “You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.” ~ Luke 1.76 We are on the cusp of Christmas. The last Advent calendar window has been opened; the four candles on the Advent wreath have been lit; all the verses…
Keeping Advent 26: The Mighty One
December 22/Fourth Thursday of Advent And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. ~ Luke 1.46 For people of my generation, there are few funnier examples of a soul that proclaims its own greatness than Peter Sellers’ rendition of Inspector Jacques Clouseau in The Pink Panther, whose high self-regard is matched (if not exceeded) only by his…
Keeping Advent 25: Why Me?
December 21/Fourth Wednesday of Advent Elizabeth . . . said, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” ~ Luke 1.42 If there are any fashionable virtues these days — and sometimes it seems that the very concept of virtue is obsolete — we can be sure that humility is not among…
Keeping Advent 24: What to Wear
December 20/Fourth Tuesday of Advent Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place?One whose hands are clean, whose heart is pure, who does not lift up his soul to what is empty. ~ Ps 24.3-4 People still tend to dress for church in my small and historic parish. Men don coats and…