One of the Psalms appointed for the Daily Prayer of the Church today is Psalm 9. As you read it, reflect on the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth, and the horrific murders at Emmanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
He shall say to the Lord, "You are my refuge and my stronghold,
my God in whom I put my trust."
He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter
and from the deadly pestilence.
He shall cover you with his pinions, and you shall find refuge under his wings;
his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of any terror by night,
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the plague that stalks in the darkness,
nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand,
but it shall not come near you.
Your eyes have only to behold
to see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
and the Most High your habitation,
There shall no evil happen to you,
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over you,
to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you in their hands,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and adder;
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet.
Because he is bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my Name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I am with him in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him to honor.
With long life will I satisfy him,
and show him my salvation. (Ps. 91:1-16).
There is hope in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Those who believe in God the Father, and the redemption of his Son Jesus Christ, have hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. We know that God has the victory; evil and violence, although they try to do their worst, have fallen to the power of God. Those who lived as slaves had their hearts filed with the hope of freedom. Those who were murdered as they met in Church know that they have fallen asleep in Christ, and that they will rise with Christ. We live in that between time, that time after the death and resurrection of Jesus, but before everything is finally set to rights. We live in hope.
Let us pray: Gracious God, you have brought your people from the land of slavery into the light of freedom. Let us not take that freedom for granted; rather, let us live as builders of your just and right kingdom where there is no more pain, no more suffering and every tear is wiped away. We ask this in Jesus’ name who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDER: Sunday 21 June at 10 AM, we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Juneteenth and Father’s Day at St. Augustine.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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