the church of the
ascension
in the city of
new york
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Wednesday, April 1
Psalm 130 / Romans 10:14-21 / John 10:1-18
"Out of the depths... ." We have all been there. From the depths of our being we cry out in the depth of suffering — whether caused by health, finances, human relations, intellectual, psychological or spiritual crisis, or some vague and indefinable angst, we cry out. And often we feel that God does not hear us, or, if He does, He does not choose to answer. And, to make things worse, we have all received bad advice about suffering. We have been told not to be selfish, to stiffen the upper lip, to think of others. "Why do you complain? Think of poor so-and-so, who... ." And, worst of all, we have been told that suffering is punishment for our sins.
But the Psalmist reassures us. Although no one can stand in the face of divine judgment, God forgives us. Having noted that, the poet turns to his anticipation of divine presence, waiting more eagerly for God than "those who watch for the morning." We expect a very special encounter, even from the very depths.
Our Lord states that he has come to give us life "more abundantly." The Greek term "perisson" denotes more than a cornucopia. It means "extraordinarily," "remarkably," "uncommonly," "in a far superior manner." It is more about "how" than "much." Perhaps our suffering is a part of this "abundant" life. And so we "wait" for the Lord.
— Liz Hill
"Out of the depths... ." We have all been there. From the depths of our being we cry out in the depth of suffering — whether caused by health, finances, human relations, intellectual, psychological or spiritual crisis, or some vague and indefinable angst, we cry out. And often we feel that God does not hear us, or, if He does, He does not choose to answer. And, to make things worse, we have all received bad advice about suffering. We have been told not to be selfish, to stiffen the upper lip, to think of others. "Why do you complain? Think of poor so-and-so, who... ." And, worst of all, we have been told that suffering is punishment for our sins.
But the Psalmist reassures us. Although no one can stand in the face of divine judgment, God forgives us. Having noted that, the poet turns to his anticipation of divine presence, waiting more eagerly for God than "those who watch for the morning." We expect a very special encounter, even from the very depths.
Our Lord states that he has come to give us life "more abundantly." The Greek term "perisson" denotes more than a cornucopia. It means "extraordinarily," "remarkably," "uncommonly," "in a far superior manner." It is more about "how" than "much." Perhaps our suffering is a part of this "abundant" life. And so we "wait" for the Lord.
— Liz Hill
