Saturday in Lent 4

I confess that I am having a really hard time with a lot of the lessons in the Daily Office this Lent. The triumphalism or tribalism that runs through a lot of it, or simplistic Deuteronomic theology (obey and be blessed, disobey and be cursed) that simply runs contrary to observation, plus a lot of historical and hermeneutical baggage that leaps to the forefront for me these days - it all combines to make for a struggle. This is one reason I have not done much in the way of meditation on the lessons this season

I'm not fretting about it or feeling guilty about it. There is joy for me when I see the gems Margaret digs out of the lessons (thank you, sister). My faith in God is not shaken, my love of Jesus is intact, and I know that scripture sometimes does not touch us then at a later time moves us into deeper faith and faithfulness. So I am simply letting it be. But I thought it might be good to share this with you all because I know we all encounter dry periods of many sorts.

Psalm 33 is one of my favorites and it is appointed for Evening Prayer today.


Psalm 33 Exultate, justi (The Book of Common Prayer)

1 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; *
it is good for the just to sing praises.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp; *
play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.

3 Sing for him a new song; *
sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.

4 For the word of the LORD is right, *
and all his works are sure.

5 He loves righteousness and justice; *
the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, *
by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.

7 He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *
and stores up the depths of the sea.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; *
let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.

9 For he spoke, and it came to pass; *
he commanded, and it stood fast.

10 The LORD brings the will of the nations to naught; *
he thwarts the designs of the peoples.

11 But the LORD'S will stands fast for ever, *
and the designs of his heart from age to age.

12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD! *
happy the people he has chosen to be his own!

13 The LORD looks down from heaven, *
and beholds all the people in the world.

14 From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze *
on all who dwell on the earth.

15 He fashions all the hearts of them *
and understands all their works.

16 There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army;
a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.

17 The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *
for all its strength it cannot save.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, *
on those who wait upon his love,

19 To pluck their lives from death, *
and to feed them in time of famine.

20 Our soul waits for the LORD; *
he is our help and our shield.

21 Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *
for in his holy Name we put our trust.

22 Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, *
as we have put our trust in you.

Mercifully hear our prayers, O Lord, and spare all those who confess their sins to you; that those whose consciences are accused by sin may by your merciful pardon be absolved; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

--the BB