Psalm Reflection: The Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B

“Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.” - Psalm 33

Trusting people is hard. As our world has become more interconnected through globalization, technology, and the media, we have become more aware of all the dangers, disasters, and violence around the world. We are taught to be suspicious of anyone and everyone. We live in an increasingly dangerous sounding world, even though the same technology that can promulgate fear has also made us safer than ever. 

In Steven Pinker’s book The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined he argues that we are living in the least violent time in all of human history. Advances in technology help prevent or catch more  violent offenders, and advances in our social and relational dynamics as a culture have led to less desire to commit acts of crime or violence in the first place. The problem is, our interconnectedness causes us to hear about more of these instances, making it seem as though they are around every corner and continue to increase. As a result, we are trained to see, expect and prepare for danger or disaster everywhere.

When I watch old movies from the 1940’s or 50’s, it always strikes me how quickly two people decide to get married, oftentimes after their very first meeting. This is absurd to us now, because we do not trust others as easily as we used to. We used to joyfully welcome knocks at the front door and unexpected visits. Now we lock our doors and gaze suspiciously through peepholes when a knock is heard, even when we are expecting someone.

Once we get to know someone, and see tangible evidence of their loyalty, goodness, and begin to feel safe around them, then we can finally begin to trust. However, when it comes to God, it is not that easy. We do not physically sit with God and get to know Him, or find it as easy to trust someone who is intangible, mysterious, and not as visible to us as another human being is. It takes more intentional effort, and we need the grace of God to help us see with different eyes, and to soften our hardened hearts in order to learn to trust Him.

Trusting God reminds me of my daughter Hannah learning how to swim.  We got a little to gung-ho and excited the first time we got her in the water and she swallowed some of it, and was then terrified of the water for a long time. She trusts me, but her fear and inability to understand or foresee what will happen stands in the way or her being comfortable in the water. The same can be true of us and God. We do not know what He knows. So, when we experience loss or suffering in our lives, we can retreat from Him or find it more difficult to believe His words of love, comfort and consolation. We must remember that He knows what we do not know, He can see the end goal. 

This week, reflect on the person in your life that you trust the most. What are the specific habits, experiences or events that led to that trust being built? How can you mimic those in some way in your prayer life and your relationship with God? What obstacles are in the way of you trusting God more wholeheartedly? Reflect on these questions, and try praying the Litany of Trust everyday this week (see below).

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist. 

Matt

The Litany of Trust

From the Sisters of Life

From the belief that I have to earn Your love… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear that I am unlovable… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the false security that I have what it takes… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute… Deliver me, Jesus.

From all suspicion of Your words and promises… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You… Deliver me, Jesus.

From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will… Deliver me, Jesus.

From anxiety about the future… Deliver me, Jesus.

From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past… Deliver me, Jesus.

From restless self-seeking in the present moment… Deliver me, Jesus.

From disbelief in Your love and presence… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being asked to give more than I have… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of what love demands… Deliver me, Jesus.

From discouragement… Deliver me, Jesus.

That You are continually holding me, sustaining me, loving me… Jesus, I trust in you.

That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings, and transforms me… Jesus, I trust in you.

That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You… Jesus, I trust in you.

That You are with me in my suffering… Jesus, I trust in you.

That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next… Jesus, I trust in you.

That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church… Jesus, I trust in you.

That Your plan is better than anything else… Jesus, I trust in you.

That You always hear me, and in Your goodness always respond to me… Jesus, I trust in you.

That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others… Jesus, I trust in you.

That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked… Jesus, I trust in you.

That my life is a gift… Jesus, I trust in you.

That You will teach me to trust You… Jesus, I trust in you.

That You are my Lord and my God… Jesus, I trust in you.

That I am Your beloved one… Jesus, I trust in you.