From the Rector – The Rev. Al Pruitt 7-01-09

July 2009

- From The Messenger, the parish newsletter for St. Francis of Assisi, Gulf Breeze

Most of us have found selections from the Psalter to be especially appropriate and helpful at significant times in our lives.  For example, we may turn to the Psalms when we need to hear words of comfort, to identify again our heavenly source of strength, to give voice to occasions of celebrations, or to express remorse for our shortcomings and sinfulness.  Based on the strength of emotion expressed and the graphic images described, the writer of the Psalms was clearly engaged in the events and uncertainties of living in the world; and took seriously God’s Interaction with the people of His creation.  The Psalmist often encounters transition and change, sometimes reluctantly and at other times longingly.

On numerous occasions during the past years, I have stood at the side of the altar with a small group or a single individual to give thanks and ask God’s blessing.  As a part of our prayer, Psalm 67 emerged more often than any other scripture. I remember one of our parishioners later referring to that Psalm as her favorite.  A portion follows:

May God be merciful to us and bless us,
show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
Let your ways be known upon the earth,
your saving health among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has brought forth her increase;
may God, our own God, give us his blessing.
May God give us his blessing,
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

Now is the time for us to read these verses again; a time for us to give thanks and to ask God’s continuing blessing upon this community of faith. One-by-one and all together we stand at God’s altar in praise and awe. How holy it is that the journeys of each of us, for a moment, hae come together in Christ.
Psalm 121 is another prayer that is in touch with the breathing of human existence. At the end of those verses, the writer acknowledges the flow of life and offers a blessing to all who have gathered:

The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth for evermore.

I join the Psalmist in speaking those words, trusting in the power of the Spirit.
Father Al +