“He turns to hear the prayer of the destitute/and does not scorn them when they pray.” (Ps. 102:17-18)
Psalm 102 is one of the liturgical readings for this
day. This so-called psalm of lament is a psalm I‘ve read many times, and
it ranks among my favorites.
Why? Well, it begins with a vivid description of the
human condition, the psalmist giving us a catalogue of his many
sorrows - a burning fever, fierce hunger, constant pain and sleepless
nights. And who can’t identify with something in that list, especially
the agitation and anxiety of a sleepless night?
Then while the psalmist if proclaiming his litany of
complaints, a glimmer of hope emerges that comes into full fruition
with the line: “He turns to hear the prayer of the destitute/and does
not scorn them when they pray.” The psalm comes full cycle. There is
redemption here. In the midst of his many sorrows, the psalmist gets a
revelation--he sees something clearly--that Yahweh, his God, is all
powerful and eternal, and will not only redeem him but all Israel will
be restored. Then, as the psalmist proclaims, all nations will
recognition His might and honor Him. Quite a psalm and quite a vision.
Whenever I’m lonely or frightened, I often resort to
reading the psalms. They are balm for hurt minds. This particular psalm
speaks to me. I find comfort in its redeeming message. And isn’t it a metaphor of the Lenten season itself? We march through the forty days
of Lent, fasting, sacrificing and doing penance, and then on Easter
Sunday, we witness the glory the the Risen Christ.
I’m reminded here of the wonderful line by Julian of
Norwich. “All will be well, all will be well, all manner of things will
be well.”
(Joseph Reynolds)
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