Moving Forward - 27 February 2025

THURSDAY, February 27, George Herbert

Psalm 134:1 Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you that stand by night in the house of the Lord.

This psalm brings up for me the lived wonder of formation, one of the best gifts I’ve received from God and the Episcopal Church. The psalm is only two verses long—so tiny to have given me such massive comfort over the course of my life. There was the comfort of praying these words with friends as we said Compline together for years as teens in EYC (Episcopal Youth Community). Then, there was the new domesticity of praying these words in bed with my husband soon after we married. There was also the sadness of praying these words at an evening program after one of my parishioners was shot by the police.

What we pray and when we pray together as a community form us. Even when I’m too sad, stressed, or perplexed to make the words make sense in my head, they still bring solace to my spirit. I’m anchored and held together not only by the words said at a particular time in a particular community but also by the power and presence of God experienced each time they are prayed.  

MOVING FORWARD: What psalm brings you comfort?

PRAY for the Diocese of Mahajanga (Indian Ocean)

Ps 131, 132, [133] * 134, 135 | Ruth 2:14-23 | 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 | Matthew 5:27-37

(Source: Forward Day By Day Movement)