Preparing for 4th Sunday of Lent

It is easy – sometimes too easy – to talk about faith.

We live in especially testing times, which make it all the more important that we truly live by faith.

Often we hide our fears and distrust not only from others but also from ourselves.

Why not use the familiar psalm set to be sung this Sunday to feed a dialogue between yourself and the Lord – talk and listen to each other about what each phrase means and promises. Give space for silence to allow you to absorb the truths you learn, comfortable and uncomfortable.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22 (23)

¹     A Psalm of David.

      The Lord is my shepherd;
      there is nothing I shall want.
²     Fresh and green are the pastures
      where he gives me repose.
      Near restful waters he leads me;
³     he revives my soul.

      He guides me along the right path,
      for the sake of his name.
⁴     Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
      no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
      Your crook and your staff will give me comfort.

⁵     You have prepared a table before me
      in the sight of my foes.
      My head you have anointed with oil;
      my cup is overflowing.

⁶     Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
      all the days of my life.
      In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
      for length of days unending.

Acknowledgements

• Translation of Psalms: From The Revised Grail Psalms: A Liturgical Psalter. (c) 2010.
• Commentary: (c) 2020, Allen Morris
• Photo (c) 2019, Allen Morris. St Mary’s Priory, Chepstow.