Brothers and Sisters,
Our psalm appointed for this Sunday, Psalm 23, is likely familiar to you. It’s a beloved portion of Scripture, and it’s beloved for a good reason. It’s a great source of comfort, especially in times of difficulty or perplexity. In times I’ve needed comfort, I’ve certainly returned to it.
I’ve always found the fourth verse to be balm for the soul in times of difficulty:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The truth is that we will encounter challenging circumstances in this life. We’ll walk through our own valleys of the shadow of death. As one great hymn puts it, we’ll face many dangers, toils, and snares in our journey. What do we do with that?
We could look at our circumstances and find ourselves overwhelmed with fear. On the other hand, we could look to the One who leads us on our journey. He is able to defend us. He is able to comfort us, even in the valley, even as we face danger or evil.
We started our Lenten journey remembering our own mortality, that we are dust. That doesn’t mean that we need to live in fear. The Lord is able to bring us safely through the toils and dangers of this life and even bring us safely through death itself. Truly, we lack nothing.
In Jesus, we have the assurance that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. We see our destination, and we know the One who will bring us there.
In Christ,
Fr. Caleb