Word to the Wise
Friday, February 5, 2010 - Friday in the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
[Sirach 47:2-11 and Mark 6:14-20]With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung. He set singers before the altar and by their voices he made sweet melodies....... (Sirach)
If one has kept up with the first scriptures over the past couple of weeks, one would know that they featured King David. I haven't preached on each passage, but occasionally a particular one inspired comment. Now the lectionary goes to the Book of Sirach for a definitely positive "spin" on King David. That spin refers to the Book of Psalms, much of which is attributed to David, whose image is often portrayed with harp in hand. Certainly the Book of Psalms merits attention even if he didn't compose every one of the 150 (traditional count). If there is such a thing as "spiritual comfort food," the psalms are an example of it for me. Yes, yes! I know there are some of them that are downright bloodthirsty and gruesome. There are also some that are sublime. The 23rd psalm, "The Lord in my shepherd..." is one of the most well known of all of them. But Psalm 22 is also well known because of Jesus quoting it on the cross. I've been immersed in the psalms since my first day in the novitiate. They speak to every possible emotion, which is why I find them comforting. Any feeling I might have can find a counteSrpart in one of the psalms. There is joy and anger. elation and depression. It might be helpful to remember that since Jesus was a practicing Jew, the psalms would have been his prayer too! The Liturgy of the Hours is mostly taken from the Book of Psalms. I recommend spending some time with them. Look at the psalms - good and bad, ugly and beautiful. You may find your own feelings expressed there as prayer! AMEN
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