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

The writer’s dialogue with Psalm 26. Words of the Psalm in bold type.

The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?

We justly feared the extension of the months of quarantine which so disrupted -- we hope not destroyed -- human relations.

Though an army encamp against me my heart would not fear.  Even then would I trust.

I can’t claim such fearlessness. I try to trust, but I hope and pray for an end to my fears.

Now my head shall be raised above my foes who surround me, and I shall offer within God’s tent a sacrifice of joy. I will sing and make music for you the Lord.

Finally coming to an end of the virus means much cause for joy and music.

Do not abandon or forsake me, O God my help! Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

Father and mother, those rocks of our youth, must necessarily “forsake us” in their deaths. By illness or death dear friends may do the same, leaving an old person bereft of longtime friends. Such are fortunate indeed to have good friends who will visit and so enhance their life!

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.

We are still in a time of hope, and still in a time of trust. Lord, please deepen our trust in you.

Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!

Lord, give us firm hope and trust. Let us not wallow in self-pity and depression but let us live in a lively hope and trust that you will end varieties of virus.

All my aspirations and hopes as delineated above are small. Maybe “small” is a serious deficiency. By hoping for them, freedom to walk side by side with a dear friend, to spend time in a coffee shop with a good friend, such “little” things seemed like the heavenly city during the domination of the Pandemic.

Have we learned anything Covid-19 and its offspring? E.g., an end to racism and police brutality, a more equal distribution of the nation’s/world’s wealth, employment that assures a truly living wage for all, and, summing it all up, a sense of responsibility among all for the common good.

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living

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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