February 28/Second Wednesday of Lent Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God. ~ Ps 31.6 “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Is there a more succinct and powerful expression of trust in the entire Bible? Jesus uttered it from the cross as he passed from life into death, and that…
Song 12: All Rise
February 27/Second Tuesday of Lent “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, Though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself?To him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” ~…
Song 10: Our End of the Bargain
February 24/First Saturday of Lent Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart. ~ Ps. 119.1-2 As we know from yesterday’s psalm, God is not a bean-counter, running up a tab of all the ways in which we go wrong…
Song 9: Just Deserts
February 23/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 For some time now — ratcheted up in recent years by the turbo engines of social media — one of the ruling dynamics in our civic discourse has been the “gotcha”…
Song 8: He Leads Me
February 22/First Thursday of Lent The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want./He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;/He restores my soul; he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake./Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod…
Song 7: A Fresh Start
February 21/First Wednesday of Lent A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. ~ Ps 51.10 Many of us stock our mental (or actual) pockets with “pocket verses” to remind us of the presence and love of God. While there are plenty in the New Testament (“Come unto me, all you that labor…
Song 6: The Welcome Mat
February 20/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: Glory Be
February 19/First Monday of Lent The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. . .The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple. ~ Ps 19.1, 7 To those who have eyes to see, God can be found everywhere – in a…
Song 4: Speak Up
February 17/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. ~ Ps. 86.1-2 Underlying the penances of Lent and the rules and regulations of our faith is the salient reality of God’s love. It is where…
Song 3: Washing Up
February 16/Friday after Ash Wednesday Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. ~ Ps 51.3-4 My father, a veteran sailor, told us when we were young that the dishwashing policy on board was “if it looks clean, it is clean” (my mother grimaced, without fail). Appropriate for an extended sailing trip, perhaps, when thorough cleaning…