Ordinary Time

February 16, 2022

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40

Do not fret because of the wicked;
   do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
   and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
   so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
   trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
   and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
   do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
   over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
   Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
   but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
   though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land,
   and delight in abundant prosperity.

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
   he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
   he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
   because they take refuge in him.

I usually do not quote some longer scriptures like the one above. Rather I pick out the key verses that catch my attention. This morning as I read this scripture, I thought the whole world needs to read this as we seem caught in the chaos of fear and anger regarding the COVID pandemic, warmongers rattling their swords, greed, and lust for power running amok, and people, in general, trying to make sense of our changing world. Indeed, I believe we are at a crossroads of either getting stuck in our own mud and floundering or turning to God and saying Here am I send me with the same trembling voice of Isaiah as God calls us to partner with God to bring about the fruition of God’s Kingdom on this earth. Let it be so.

Prayer: Lord, free us from whatever holds up back from answering your call to service. Guide us through these troubled seas and bring us safely to your promised kingdom. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.