Friday, February 27, 2015

Commemoration of George Herbert, priest and poet, 1633
Reading: Psalm 22:23-31

Antiphon:
“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before him."  Psalm 22:27

On the second Sunday in Lent, we chant together the same psalm that we hear during the stripping of the altar at the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday liturgy: Psalm 22. But the psalm antiphon for this Sunday illumines the psalm's poetry with a different light. This antiphon, from verse 27, highlights the praise of God going out to all nations, the Hamon-Goyyim of Genesis 17. We often think of Psalm 22 as a song of lament, but praise is interwoven throughout. Perhaps this is a wise model for us to follow in our own prayer: interweave with praise and gratitude. Gratitude changes the heart; it changes the way we approach each day. Even the Jewish Mourner's Kaddish is essentially a prayer of praise. The basic Jewish form for blessing is: Blessed are you, O Lord,our God, creator of the universe, for you have made___.

Lord, Thou hast given so much to me,
Grant one thing more - a gratefull hearte. Amen
(George Herbert)

 TAKE A WALK, GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR ALL YOU SEE.