The Psalms and Christ: Two Lenten Reflections

PRESCRIPT: As with many other Christian communities, the Uniting Church congregation of North Ringwood to which I and my Dearly Beloved belong produces a booklet of reflections for Lent, written by members of the congregation for the congregation to use as a resource for daily prayer and reflection.  Here are two reflections which I contributed to this year’s booklet.

Date:  For 2nd Sunday in Lent (March 8th)

TITLE: GOD AND HUMAN ALIENATION

SCRIPTURAL TEXT

For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him. Ps. 22:24

All human beings share an affliction: our brokenness and alienation from God.  Yet despite our brokenness, God does not despise us; on the contrary, God actively seeks relationship with every person.  Indeed, it is precisely because of our brokenness that God reaches out to us: God’s purpose is to effect our redemption and restoration, not our condemnation.

During the season of Lent, through prayer we focus on two realities: our unworthiness before God; and our acceptability in the eyes of God. In his ministry, Jesus made the Kingdom available to those considered beyond the pale of salvation: prostitutes, tax collectors, despised minorities, anyone considered hopelessly polluted with sin.  Through the Cross and Resurrection, Jesus extended that availability to all people: for we are all broken by sin.  But God does not withhold healing from us: through Christ it is made effective in the world; and through the Holy Spirit it continues to be present to us today.

Psalm 22 is a meditation on brokenness and redemption.  As you sit with this Psalm, reflect on how it speaks to your own particular brokenness.  How does God’s grace present itself in your life? What does this say about your acceptability in the eyes of God? What does it say about how we should respond to God’s invitation to relationship and love?

As you continue your Lenten journey, allow Psalm 22 to guide your prayers and thoughts in the week ahead.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, through all our lives and all the ages of creation, you call us to you, inviting us into the undeserved grace of salvation. Through discipleship to Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit, grant that we may always be open to your call, so that your Word and Light and Kingdom may be spread throughout the world.  Amen.

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Date:  For 4th Sunday in Lent (March 22nd)

 TITLE: GOD AND HEALING

 SCRIPTURAL TEXT:

 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress; he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction. Ps 107: 19-20

Words have meaning; names have power.  Many ancient societies believed the universe began with the uttering of a name.  Genesis declares that the process of creation began with a single command: “Let there be light!”.  John’s Gospel proclaims: “In the beginning was the Word”.

Calling on God is not merely to cry out to God; it is to invoke the power of God’s name, the sacred power of the One from whom all being flows. But it this very sacredness that makes God’s name powerful: God listens to those who cry out in suffering or distress.  The brokenness of humanity cried out to God for healing; and in response, God’s only Son was sent to once and for all time overcome human brokenness and make effective our salvation.

As you meditate on Psalm 107, ponder: what does it tell you about God’s power to redeem and heal – what kind of healing, what kind of redemption does it speak of? What does this Psalm tell you about the nature of God’s love for us? How does Psalm 107 provide you with room for hope in your own journey of life and faith?

As we continue our journey through Lent, allow Psalm 107 to refresh your spirit and bring you the strength to travel forward.

PRAYER :

Lord God: your steadfast loves endures over time and across generations; you are faithful beyond measure.  In Christ, your Word came among us to set us free; through your Holy Spirit you continue your work of liberation.  Grant that in faith and trust we will continue to call on you, knowing you will listen, knowing that we are loved.  Amen.