A few weeks ago, I posted each day on my Facebook page a short poem and photograph inspired by one of the Psalms. [I didn’t post here because I didn’t want to inundate your inbox each day!]
The Psalms, as Fr. Michael Joncas noted in an interview I posted about a month ago, can be doorways to our emotions and deepest held fears and joys. They are “salves,” he noted, precisely because there is nothing new under the sun. The words of the ancient psalmist hit us in our guts — right where we live and breathe — because even though the world has changed immensely, we are still the same as the joyful, lost, questioning, mourning souls who wandered the earth two thousand years ago. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
We try to make sense of what’s going on in our world by singing and crying and shouting and whispering prayers and songs to the One who created us and listens to us still. The Psalms help us do that.
So here are my little offerings…my takes on individual Psalms as they are speaking to me right now during this time of pandemic and change. Read one a day or read them all right now. Most importantly, open your Bible and spend time with your own favorite Psalms that comfort or speak your heart.
Anita Butler says
Steve I became familiar with you poetic thoughts through the 30 day retreat. Besides loving the retreat, I always had to read your inspirational thoughts. I’m from Chicago
admin says
Hi, Anita. Thanks for writing…glad to “meet” you through Fr. Thibodeaux’s retreat. It’s been a very inspirational 30 days! Thanks for finding me…I’m in St. Louis and, even though you could be a Cubs fan, you are welcome here!
Valerie says
Thank you for this post, I needed it very much right now and will keep rereading the psalms you posted. God bless you!
admin says
Thanks, Valerie. God seems to come through like that often…
Peter says
Thanks for doing my homework for me! God moves in mysterious ways! Why else would
you and I be thinking on the same lines at the same time? God bless
admin says
Thanks, Peter, and I enjoyed your psalm very much! More, more!