Psalms - the songs of Lent

Today I lean on the Psalm of David. Why?

I know quite well that God gave us freewill and I know God did this because the Love He offers must be freely accepted - there is nothing imposed or forced in the relationship God seeks with each of us. The Love God offers is perfect; God so desires to Love us that He freely chose to accept the notion that He would be rejected by us. And sadly, yes we too often reject God!

We are free. We are free to study and think. We are free to rationalize and justify. We are free to develop and hold individual opinion. We are free to choose and so we are free to be wrong and free to be right. We are free. Except ... we are not free. Every moment and movement has a consequence and those consequences strip us of the allusion of our freedom. I have freely chosen a path and to walk that path constrains me with requirements and consequences.

I have attended gatherings and entered into conversations and upon arrival the ground rules are made bluntly clear: "no religion; no politics." No politics is fine - except the very doctrine inherent in this statement is an expression of the hosts' politics. Likewise "no religion" is a religious edict. I am welcome but Jesus is not? Can I then stay? Can I speak? The notion challenges me. If I stay am I not freely an accomplice to Jesus' eviction. If I speak under these conditions have I not freely consented to His denial? Please - ask me not to breathe! It is less hurtful and more possible. Oddly every time this happens I see Peter gathered round a courtyard fire.

The toughest thing Christ ever commanded us to do is to go into the world and speak of Him. It is a prolonged agony. But here is the truth - focused on Jesus, even when feeling the sting of His rejection there is Joy. Broken and contrite hearts sing - and the song is worship.

...Where You go I will go my God.

Where You stay I'll stay with You.

Where You go I will go my God.

Where You stay I'll worship You, only You...

A Song of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid.

Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.

For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary.

He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high

above my enemies who surround me.

At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.

Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me!

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” and my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.

Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Living as Christ commands, and speaking as Christ commands is not a choice. It is the commitment flowing from the waters of Baptism, the moment we gave our "yes" to Jesus and we became His follower.