God Stands With the Poor & The Helpless

One of the appointed Psalms for this Monday in the third week of Advent is Psalm 41 where the Psalmist prays:

Happy are those who consider the poor;

  the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.
The Lord protects them and keeps them alive;
  they are called happy in the land.
You do not give them up to the will of their enemies.
  The Lord sustains them on their sickbed;
  in their illness you heal all their infirmities.

As for me, I said, ‘O Lord, be gracious to me;

  heal me, for I have sinned against you.’
My enemies wonder in malice
  when I will die, and my name perish.
And when they come to see me, they utter empty words,
  while their hearts gather mischief;
  when they go out, they tell it abroad.
All who hate me whisper together about me;
  they imagine the worst for me.
They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me,
  that I will not rise again from where I lie.
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted,
  who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.
But you, O Lord, be gracious to me,
  and raise me up, that I may repay them.
By this I know that you are pleased with me;
  because my enemy has not triumphed over me.
But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
  and set me in your presence for ever.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
  from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. (Ps. 41)

 

In the Old Testament, one of the prominent themes is God’s concern for the poor and those who are unable to care for themselves. In today’s Psalm we hear that God has a special place in His heart for those who care for those who are less fortunate because those who help the poor and those who cannot help themselves are carrying out God’s will. This is especially so at this time of year when there are many who have nothing and are struggling to make ends meet in a hard economy.  So take some time this week and remember to help those who are going through difficult economic times, for those who are not able to care for themselves. Next Sunday, you might even remember to bring something to place into the St. Vincent’s Food Pantry basket at the narthex of the Church, or to give a helping hand to someone who needs it.

 

Let us pray:  Generous God, you love those who put their trust in you.  Help us to remember those who are in need this season and all year round. We ask this in Christ’s name.  Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Thursday, 20 December starting at 11 a.m. the Seaside Seniors will have their Christmas luncheon in Sutton Hall at St. Augustine's.

 

Next Sunday, 23 December, we will have our Christmas pot luck lunch.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially all of those who are suffering in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

 

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550