March 27: Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Read
Psalm 23 | Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Pray
Shepherd of Souls,
you refresh and bless,
you companion your people
through the valley of the shadow of death,
and on the mountaintop of celebration.
Be our constant in times of uncertainty,
be our rock in times of unmooring,
be of fortress in times of fear.
Help us to walk the earth with a sense of your presence
that we might bless others as we have been blessed;
in Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Reflect
We all want to feel safe.
Ask most people what they desire most in the world and more often than not, safety will rise to the top. We want to make sure that we and the people we love are safe from harm and comforted. We have a desire to be free from hardship, harm, and pain and to dwell in safety.
But while safety is our desire, it is rarely our reality. Suffering, struggle, and pain are a part of the human condition. As much as we want safety, we know it is fleeting at best.
What God offers us in Scripture and throughout the course of our lives is not safety, but companionship. Companionship means that even when things are unsafe, stressful, and unsure, God is there with us. Even in the valley of the shadow, God is a companion. Perhaps we need companionship more than safety.
Do
Write a thank you note to someone who has been a companion.
Tags: 2023 Lenten Meditations