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.