Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Holy Week: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 55; Evening, Psalm 74;
Lamentation. 2:1-9; 2nd Corinthians 1:23 to 2:11; Mark 12:1 to 11:
Psalm 74: 8 to 11:
8. There are no signs for us to see; there is no prophet left; there is not one among us who knows how long.
9. How long, O God, will the adversary scoff? Will the enemy blaspheme your Name forever?
10. Why do you draw back your hand? Why is your right hand hidden in your bosom?
11. Yet God is my King from ancient times, victorious in the midst of the earth.
These central words from Psalm 74 seem appropriate for today for Ukraine as they wait for God to intervene in the midst of their troubles. I guess verse 11 brings some glimmer of hope.
I spoke with a dear friend who reminded me of the old story about the preacher who was sent two boats and a helicopter as a flood was devastating his town. The preacher refused to let the boats or helicopter save him not realizing that this was indeed God’s way of saving him. God uses us, for us. God is using us, who are outside of Ukraine, to aid and assist Ukraine. And Ukraine is both receptive and thankful, to God, through us.
I used this Psalm and the same verses two years ago to talk about our fight against Covid. Now I use it to lift up the Ukrainian people in their distress. Perhaps some of you are tired of my continued worrying over Ukraine. I am spiritually connected to the Ukrainian people.
They can’t afford to not think of their situation or get rid of it although I am sure they would like to. I will stay with them in prayer and lamentation until their situation improves, just as they must do also. In this country, we have sound-bites of the war in Ukraine, and then the next news item might be about some celebrity show, or some pending American court case. The Ukrainian people don’t have choices about what they will think about or watch next. Every day, every minute, is about “who died,” or, when and where will the next bomb hit? It is a living hell for them. I am trying to keep us aware of their choice-less horror.
I too pray for the God of ancient times to act today, in the midst of Ukraine.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 