Reflection for Friday After Ash Wednesday
Cry out, full-throated!
We are used to calling out to God in times of need, of piously seeking the help of Jesus. This is all good, necessary, and beneficial. However, what of those moments of dire circumstances, moments of real tragedy in our lives, how do we respond? Are we meek and mild, or do we cry out to God or the world for the grave injustice done and the help needed?
Our prayer must be full-throated, that is, matched to the intensity of our need and experience. Have you ever considered praying through your anger, or your sadness, or despair? Or are we afraid to cry out to God? Consider this, how did Jesus pray when faced with his death? Was he meek and mild? No, he prayed in the intensity of the situation, “Father, if you wish, please let this cup pass me by! But your will be done;” “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” His prayer was real, sincere, and honest but intense!
We are called to pray in the same way, full of emotion, desire, and hope. But how? The prayer of the Church, the prayer of the psalms, the Divine Office, expresses every human emotion: anger, disappointment, joy, suffering, abandonment. Here God has given us expression to these difficult and dangerous emotions.
As we go through Lent, read through the responsorial psalms each day, allow them to express the feelings you have, and allow God’s word to transform the raw emotions to a moment of praise. We are called to give over to God everything, give him your need.
Question
How can you make today’s Psalm a prayer of your own? Do you see Christ speaking in the Psalm? Can you use the words of the Psalm to pray to God for yourself or for others?
Reflection by Fr. Etienne Huard, OSB
Posted in Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources