Speak Lord: Balm for our souls

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help.

I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace.
His help is near for those who fear him
and his glory will dwell in our land.

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help.

Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven.

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help.

The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps.

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help.

Psalm 84:9-14

Responsorial Psalm for the 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

As we strive to make the most of life in this world, again and again we find ourselves confused and disoriented; our best motives can be so mixed.

But when we look to the Lord, and allow ourselves space to listen and learn, what a difference we find. How much help and clarity we find. Not immediately, not always: but in time a new way opens for us that is a way of mercy and love: his way for us to follow…

Stained glass. Liverpool Cathedral. (c) 2016, Allen Morris.