St. Cecilia Cathedral and the 22nd Psalm

Images from St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha that inspire prayerful reflection on an adaptation of the 22nd Psalm:

Image Credit: C. Matthew Hawkins

Images of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection inspired me to pray along with the 22nd Psalm:

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish?

My God, I call by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I have no relief.

I am a worm, not a man, scorned by men, despised by the people.

All who see me mock me; they curl their lips and jeer; they shake their heads at me:

"He relied on the LORD -- let him deliver him; if he loves him, let him rescue him."

Many bulls of Bashan encircle me. They open their mouths against me, lions that rend and roar.

Like water my life drains away; all my bones are disjointed.

My heart has become like wax, it melts away within me.

As dry as a potsherd is my throat; my tongue cleaves to my palate; you lay me in the dust of death.

Dogs surround me; a pack of evildoers closes in on me.

They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.

Image Credit: C. Matthew Hawkins

They stare at me and gloat; they divide my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots.

But you, LORD, do not stay far off; my strength, come quickly to help me.

Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the grip of the dog.

Save me from the lion's mouth, my poor life from the horns of wild bulls.

For you drew me forth from the womb, made me safe at my mother's breasts.

Upon you I was thrust from the womb; since my mother bore me you are my God.

Do not stay far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help.

Image Credit: C. Matthew Hawkins

 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted and you rescued them. To you they cried out and they escaped; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the assembly I will praise you:

"You who fear the LORD, give praise! All descendants of Jacob, give honor; show reverence, all descendants of Israel!

"For he has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch, Did not turn away from me, but heard me when I cried out.

"I will offer praise in the great assembly; my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him.

"The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the LORD will offer praise. May your hearts enjoy life forever!"

Image Credit: C. Matthew Hawkins

You are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the glory of Israel.

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD; All the families of nations will bow low before him.

For kingship belongs to the LORD, the ruler over the nations.

All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; All who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage.

And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you.

The generation to come will be told of the LORD, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.

This post was created while participating in the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) at Creighton University in the summer of 2016.

Petitions of Hope for a Troubled Land

The petitions from Sunday's Vespers were particularly striking at this time, as they spoke about hope, fear, oppression, reconciliation, justice, peace, victory through suffering and rebirth:

The World was created by the Word of God, re-created by his redemption, and it is continually renewed by his love, Rejoicing in him we call out:

Renew the wonders of your love, Lord.

We give thanks to God whose power is revealed in nature, and whose providence is revealed in history.

Renew the wonders of your love, Lord.

Through your Son, the herald of reconciliation, the victor of the cross, free us from empty fear and hopelessness.

Renew the wonders of your love, Lord.

May all those who love and pursue justice work together without deceit to build a world of true peace.

Renew the wonders of your love, Lord.

Be with the oppressed, free the captives, console the sorrowing, feed the hungry, strengthen the weak, in all people reveal the victory of your cross.

Renew the wonders of your love, Lord.

After your Son's death and burial you raised him up again in glory, grant that the faithful departed may live with him.

Renew the wonders of your love, Lord.

Entering Our Troubled Times Through Eyes of Faith

Image Credit: Dreamstime.com

All acts of senseless violence are tragic, whether the targets are officers or civilians. Selective empathy and general numbness and indifference to this violence, which continues to occur, is at the root of the problem.

Also, Fr. James Martin S.J. posted an Icon, "Our Lady Mother of Ferguson and All Those Killed by Gun Violence," on his Facebook page.

He writes that it is “a new icon written by Mark Dukes,” which was sent to Fr. Martin by his friend, Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones of Trinity Church Wall Street.

Rev. Bozzuti-Jones commissioned the icon and it is now on display in his church.

Fr. Martin writes:

Our Lady prays for all who are targeted by gun violence: African-Americans, the poor and marginalized, and police officers.

Image Credit: Mark Dukes

All are her children.

All are our brothers and sisters.

Let us ask Our Lady to pray for us.