Canon Rob's Reflections

Mothering Sunday has an important place in the Church’s year, as well as in the secular world. It is a day of gratitude for a great many but also a day of remembrance for those whose mother’s have died. A day, then, of mixed emotions and one on which we pray for God’s blessing on all mothers.


Today is also the Fourth Sunday of Lent and the verses of Psalm 31 are those set for Evensong. As you read the opening words, you will see that they, like others we have reflected upon, are a prayer for God’s help. “In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.” [Verse 1] That word “refuge” is one we have thought of many times in these Reflections over the years: a recognition that God has long been known as the One who is called upon in times of trouble. Looking at the Bible readings set for today, the first at the Parish Eucharist is from St Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians and offers similar encouragement: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…. He comforts us in all our troubles….” [2 Cor. 1:3-7.] 


Only the first eight verses are set to be used this evening, but if you look at verse 9 you will see that the prayer being offered is urgent! “Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in trouble; my eye is consumed with sorrow, my soul and body also.” The author is overwhelmed by all that assails him. Not only is he in a terrible state mentally and physically but he is tormented by his enemies [see verses 11 – 13] who, he says in verse 6, “cling to worthless idols.” Yet, close to despair as he is, he remembers that God has helped him in the past, and hopes that He will do so now. Perhaps the only thing causing him to wonder if God will help him though is in the word ‘shame’ in the first verse. The psalmist lived at a time when most people believed that God punished them for their sins. So, does he feel a sense of guilt because of something he has done wrong? Or is it that his enemies hate him because of his faith and they are determined to bring shame upon him? This is something you may find helpful to reflect upon especially if you take the trouble to read all the verses. It is also worth remembering that we are still in the Church’s season of Lent, a season of abstinence and penitence making Psalm 31 very appropriate for this time. Part of it reads like a prayer of confession: verse 9 beginning with the words, “Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in trouble…”


Yet there is hope here also, as there is even when there is so much to be anxious about and fearful of. The words of verse 3 are found in many psalms and they are written here with conviction: “Be my strong rock, and fortress to save me, for you are my rock and my stronghold; guide me, and lead me for your name’s sake.” Even in the midst of trouble, the author is confident that God will continue to be the One on whom he can depend to support him and lead him safely away. The words “name’s sake” are also found in Psalm 106 verse 8, “But he [God] saved them for his name’s sake.” The “them” are the author’s forebears whom God freed from slavery in Egypt [See verse 7 of psalm 106] and, by doing so, showed His mighty power to save His people. As He has saved them in the past, so He will do now. In the “Common Worship, Daily Prayer” translation, verse 4 reads “Take me out of the net that they [the author’s enemies] have laid secretly for me, for you [God] are my strength.” The first part of verse 5 will probably be familiar to you, “Into your hands I commend my spirit…,” being words which Jesus uttered from the Cross and, as in the psalm, express a trust in God, even at the end of life. In this psalm then, the author is clearly struggling a great deal, probably as he faces those who are his enemies. As mentioned above, his prayer is urgent, a plea to God to save him. Yet, there is no doubt that, whatever he is going through, he continues to know that God loves him and will always be a strength and support, like a rock, just as He has been in the past. As you reflect upon his words, pray that we too may always know this for ourselves.