Friday, March 9, 2018
Friday, March 9, 2018
Commemoration of Gregory of Nyssa, 394
Reading: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Antiphon:
“Then they cried to the LORD
in their trouble,
and he saved them from their
distress." (Psalm 107:19)
Read all of Psalm
107: one of the longer psalms, it has 43 verses. In this psalm are four
vignettes (4-9, 10-16, 17-22, and 23-32), the third of which is chanted on this
coming Sunday in Lent. The overall psalm is about the loving-kindness of God,
also translated as "steadfast love", and the four vignettes are of
God helping God's people. After an introduction in 1-3, telling of the redeemed
coming from four directions, the first story begins: "Some wandered in
desert wastes…" answered by "God led them by the straight way".
In the second, "Some sat in darkness and gloom" with, "God
brought them out of darkness". In the third, "Some were sick through
their sinful ways," and "God sent out God's word and healed
them…". The fourth will be sung later this year, on the Sunday with Jesus'
stilling of the storm: "Some went down to the sea in ships…" and,
"God made the storm be still." At the center of each story is today's
antiphon: "They cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from
their distress." We are not dropped on this planet without comfort or aid.
God is at hand. "Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and
consider the steadfast love of the LORD" (v. 43).
O God, you desire abundant
life for every living thing. Hear us when we call to you. Amen
- · Place on your altar a picture of someone experiencing hardship. Pray for them.