March 4/Second Wednesday of Lent
For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”~ Ps 31.14-15
Anyone who follows the news at all does not need reminding that we live in a polarized society. The idea that the “other side” is out to get us is taken for granted in our modern discourse, and we can name our foes with ease. How does this sense of terror all around carry over into our spiritual lives? Do we truly believe that there are “evil spirits who prowl the world, seeking the ruin of souls,” as the prayer of St. Michael the Archangel vividly phrases it? Or does the idea of wicked spirits and demons seem archaic in our progressive and therapeutic world view? To me, the psalmist’s sense of being surrounded by evil spirits who wish to pry him away from God rings true. As the Trappist priest and spiritual author Basil Pennington replied to a priest who asked him how to interpret the “enemies” that speckle the psalms, “Whenever I see the word ‘enemy,’ I always think of the enemy that’s within me.” Our acquiescence to the friend who pressures us to “have one more,” our short fuse with the family member who knows just which buttons to push, our defensive reaction to someone who points out an error or transgression on our part, our failure to reach out to someone who’s lonely or sick because it’s too much trouble – these are the enemies we battle. These whispering spirits, as the psalmist knows, are underhanded and stealthy (the Hebrew for “whispering” derives from the verb for “gliding or moving gently,” capturing the insidiousness of their approach). And their intent is to disrupt our relationship with God. To keep them at bay, we must guard our hearts, watch our souls, and most importantly, trust God by placing ourselves in his protecting, faithful hands.
Loving God, Make me watchful against the incursions of the forces of evil, and keep me faithful to you. Amen.
For today’s readings click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030426.cfm
To hear the Morgan State University Choir sing “Shine On Me,” click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM3bh4efhvo&list=RDkM3bh4efhvo&start_radio=1
