Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”

Dusan from Bosnia, speaker at a luncheon honoring entrepreneurs, was asked about failures in his upward trajectory. He said: "Of course, there were some." But, he added: "Failure in the evening; an opportunity in the morning." In a broader context there is a line from Ps 30:6, "At night come tears, but dawn brings joy." This is verified in the experience of many. The pains and worries of the day often do dissolve before sunrise. I emphasize experience and often because this is not a philosophical or theological truth or a magic formula though it is related, of course, to trust in the here and now effects of our Lord's death and resurrection.

Many of us have gone to bed at night in the course of our work and responsibilities or more personal concerns, bothered by some issue which seems irresolvable. At times the problem may be too personal even to be discussed with family, friends or fellow workers. It could be some difficulty about a schedule into which a wrench has been thrown. Or concern about what seems to be the stubbornness of another party regarding some issue. It could be a worrying accusation. Or what seems to be an impossible demand regarding a piece of work.

I think Psalm 30 echoes what so often happens when we pray about the concern, leave it up to God and then roll over to sleep. (Ha, I know; not that easy!) This isn't a formula, above all it isn't magic, but what seems to be so often the experience of many of us. In the morning we find the accusation was all a misunderstanding; our worry had been cut down to size or the other party has relented about the use of that space. The problem has disappeared like the morning fog. This is "old hat" to the more seasoned, the tried and tested, but possibly a viable suggestion for beginners in what is called the "real world".

All this, of course, is somewhat selective; we have become almost immune to continuing horrors in many parts of the world involving children. There doesn't seem to be too much danger of sentimentalizing children in our world. The uniqueness, beauty and vulnerability of little children needs a lot more veneration. They are incomprehensible and inexhaustibly fascinating miracles not only for their parents but for all of us.

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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