Psalm-light for Lent IV, 2021

Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22

 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 saved them from the grave. Psalm 107: 19, 20 

“I don’t understand why God is doing this to mother; she’s been such a good person all her life!” As a Priest, I have heard these anguished words, or ones like them, in many hospital rooms, as family members struggle to cope with the suffering of a loved one. The ultimate causes of illness, pain and suffering are sometimes obvious, but often they are not. Even when we “understand” how and why, we, or a loved one has become ill, it doesn’t take away our emotional and physical pain. And, if we think that it is somehow a punishment from God, we create a distance from Him - at the very time when we need to trust in the comfort of His presence and in His faithful love.
The death of Jesus, the Son of God, on a Roman Cross, should put an end, for all time, to ideas that if a person is suffering, that they must have done something to deserve it. In humanity’s darkest hour on Calvary, where do we see God? We see Him in Jesus the Christ, fully human and fully divine, suffering with us and for us, giving us a hope that neither the Crosses of life, nor death itself, can destroy.

“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Hymn 386 - Common Praise.

Walking in the light:
Find a quiet space and time in your day. Centre yourself in the presence of God. Visualize this time as bathed in the light of God’s healing love, grace and peace. Beginning with those in your family circle, personal network of friends, colleagues, neighbors and fellow parishioners, send this healing light to any who you know are suffering at this time, in body, mind, or spirit. Then extend the dimensions of your prayerful concern to people and situations that have come to your attention through the news, social media, conversation, etc. Remember to include yourself in God’s healing. As you go forward, is there anyone that the Spirit has nudged you to contact with a special word of love and caring?
Conclude your prayers by saying “The Lord’s Prayer,” or the “Gloria Patri (“Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit …”), or the Doxology at the Eucharist (“Glory to God, whose power working in us …”), or a simple “Amen.”

Submitted by Archdeacon Peter Crosby