 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Wednesday, March 9, 2022 Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation  The psalm for this Sunday, Lent 2, is especially appropriate for a time, not of “war” – when two more or less equal bodies fight – but of invasion by a huge neighbor armed with nuclear weapons against a much smaller, weaker country it has decided to deem a threat.This, of course, was David’s situation as well. When the weak are threatened with extinction – where do they turn? I invite your reflections on any part of this psalm. They might be about your own personal experiences, but they don’t need to be. Ukraine is an obvious point of prayer and concern, but there are many other smaller places of darkness, despair and hopelessness in our world – and maybe in your own life or the life of someone you love. And of course you who are reading this, who aren’t members of St Alban’s, are also welcome to contribute your thoughts – Email them to Susanna601@aol.com.  Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell. Though an army should encamp against me, yet my heart shall not be afraid; And though war should rise up against me, yet will I put my trust in him. One thing I have asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; To behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling. And set me high upon a rock. Even now he lifts up my head above my enemies round about me. Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face. “Your face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not your face from me, nor turn away from your servant in displeasure.You have been my helper; cast me not away; do not forsake me, O God of my salvation. Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will sustain me. Show me your way, O Lord, lead me on a level path, because of my enemies. Deliver me not into the hands of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, and also those who speak malice. What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living? O tarry and await the Lord’s pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently for the Lord. By an artist in Ukraine. The image, of course, reflects the Exodus story of being led through the sea, but it could be Psalm 27 as well.  And another Ukrainian artist – with the same theme.    |
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