Saint Anthony of Padua
Ps 5: 2-3, 5-6, 7
Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Bringing Our Laments Before God
Today’s responsorial psalm is a plea before God, and an invitation to openly lament. Oftentimes, we come before God with prayer requests or gratitude, but I think it’s rare to bring our grief before him. Today’s psalm asks God to listen to our laments. During a time of grief, that is what we desire most–for someone to listen to us.
What in your life are you currently grieving, and can you bring that before God? Do you believe that God listens to and hears your grief?
Let today’s responsorial psalm be permission to come before God to lament.
—Lindsay Horn is an Associate Director of Youth Ministry at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford, Ohio.
Prayer
God of Goodness,
I come into your presence so aware of my human frailty and yet overwhelmed by your love for me.
I thank you that there is no human experience that I might walk through where your love cannot reach me.
If I climb the highest mountain you are there and yet if I find myself in the darkest valley of my life,
you are there.
Teach me today to love you more.
Help me to rest in that love that asks nothing more than the simple trusting heart of a child.
—Author Unknown