The Psalmist's Prayer

We are now in the season of Lent, a time of reflection, prayer and reconciliation.  One of the appointed Psalms for the daily prayer of the Church today is Psalm 31:

 In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;

   do not let me ever be put to shame;
   in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
  rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
  a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
   for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
   for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
   you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
   but I trust in the Lord.
I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
   because you have seen my affliction;
   you have taken heed of my adversities,
and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
  you have set my feet in a broad place.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
   my eye wastes away from grief,
   my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow,
   and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
   and my bones waste away.
 I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
   a horror to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
   those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
   I have become like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many—
   terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
   as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, O Lord;
   I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in your hand;
   deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
   save me in your steadfast love.
Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord,
   for I call on you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
   let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
Let the lying lips be stilled
   that speak insolently against the righteous
   with pride and contempt.
O how abundant is your goodness
   that you have laid up for those who fear you,
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,
   in the sight of everyone!
In the shelter of your presence you hide them
   from human plots;
you hold them safe under your shelter
   from contentious tongues.
Blessed be the Lord,
   for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
   when I was beset as a city under siege.
I had said in my alarm,
   ‘I am driven far from your sight.’
But you heard my supplications
   when I cried out to you for help.
Love the Lord, all you his saints.
   The Lord preserves the faithful,
   but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
   all you who wait for the Lord.

Let us begin this first week of Lent with the Psalmist’s prayer in today selection.  There is much to reflect on here.  One of the lines that strikes me is: “You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.”  What or who are the worthless idols in my life?  What have I put my trust in rather than trusting in God’s love and mercy?  I am sure there is something that speaks to you.  Incline your ear and the Lord will speak to you.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Program at the Scott School (41^st Street & Avenue N) begins today at 3:15 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

Bishop’s Committee Meeting this Sunday; it is the third Sunday of the month. We will begin is as soon as practicable after the Eucharist.

Lenten Adult Christian Education Series begins this Sunday. It is from the Kerygma series and will be presented by the Bains.  Please be there.

This Wednesday is the first in the Lenten Series with our own Fr. Allen Robinson.  This is the first one in the joint series so we will have people from Trinity and Grace.  I do not know how many, but we should be prepared to feed 60 or more people.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Marilyn, Dave and Gladys.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550