psalm 30 - the oscillation is important - 4th week lent monday
Today
we reflect on our psalm, psalm 30. The
fathers of the church see in this psalm the joy of Easter. In fact this psalm is traditionally entitled
as "Christ gives thanks to
the Father for his glorious Resurrection.”
So early on, while still in the middle of lent we are already given a
glimpse of the joy of Easter. We can see this in the contrast presented by the
psalm, "For his anger
lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. You changed my mourning
into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks."
The mood oscillates from the terrible and crushing experience of defeat to an
experience of liberation and joy of victory.
This oscillation, this contrast is important. When darkness sets and everything seems lost
we must never allow ourselves to be ensnared by despair but must learn to hope.
And yet prosperity can make us feel secure
thinking that we can stand on our own.
But we need trials, we need difficulties so that we can grow in humility. Trials humiliate us for they make us see our
insecurities, our weaknesses and our lack.
We need trials in order to grow.
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