Turn to God in Your Need
What is our biggest fear? Is it death? In this week’s psalm, Psalm 69, we hear that if we turn to God in our need, we are not just taken care of or comforted, we will live. The psalmist has a strong confidence that God will respond to the prayer of the afflicted. God will hear the prayer of those who have temporarily lost their rightful status in society because of illness or wrong in some way. The gospel today is a parable about how a Samaritan saves a Jewish man from death. The words of the psalm could easily come from the man beaten and left on the road. Let us put ourselves in that place and let Psalm 69 be our prayer.
God, hear this prayer, favor me now with love,
and send me your ready help.
Answer me, God, turn to me with mercy and love.
But I am ill, in pain. Rescue me, God, lift me up.
Then I shall give thanks and praise God’s name.
Look and see, you oppressed,
there is cause to rejoice
for those who seek God.
Let your hearts hope again,
for God hears the poor,
does not despise the imprisoned.
For God rescues Zion, rebuilds the towns of Judah for people to own and inhabit.
Their offspring will inherit Judah,
and those who serve God’s name
will make it their home.
[verses adapted from The Psalter © 1995, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.]