Psalm 34:1-11
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. (ESV)
God Speaks
Wednesday of Easter 7
19 May 2010
We are surrounded by talk. For example, talk radio rides the latest hobby horses to death. All this idle chatter stirs up indignation against people who are far away, the President of the United States, the Governor, the Iranians, Miss USA, etc. We think that talk is a good in itself. Likewise, the church's affairs are treated as matters open to breathless and indignant discussion. In the church we think we have spoken of churchly things when we have spoken about the latest scandal or scuttlebutt.
It is easy to fall into this pattern. After all, we want to save our church from what we perceive as the horrors being perpetrated on it by pastors, presidents or bishops. St. Cyril's advice to the catechumens, who were preparing to receive the exorcism prior to baptism, was not to think on the outward affairs of community or church, but to be still and be instructed by God. This should lead to a holy and godly fear. We need to stop talking and let God speak. For speak He does when Satan is cast out in exorcism. That is not just idle chatter.
Cyril of Jerusalem
"Afterwards do not busy yourself with unprofitable matters: neither, what the city has done, nor the village, nor the King, nor the Bishop, nor the Presbyter. Look upward. That is what your present hour needs. 'Be still and know that I am God' (Ps 46:10). If you see the believers ministering, and showing no care, they enjoy security. They know what they have received. They are in possession of grace. But right now you who stand in the turn of the scale, to be received or not: do not copy those who have freedom from anxiety, but cherish fear."
Prayer
O Lord, You have said that the tongue is the most untamed organ of the body. Let me use it to bless and not to curse, by training it only to say what you have said. Amen.
For the family of Pat Ward, who was taken to the heavenly kingdom, that they would confess the life of Christ in their grief
For all pregnant mothers, that God would keep both mothers and children in his caring arms
For all those who will hear the Word of God that it might be placed on their tongues so that they might confess before the world the mercy of God
Art: GRUNEWALD, Matthias Resurrection 1515