The Path of Life

ONE BENEDICTINE MONK'S VIEW FROM SAINT MEINRAD ARCHABBEY

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Mysterious beauty of the Psalms

"In the Psalms we thank God for our redemption in Christ,
we plead for the Church, for those who do not know God.
It is Jesus himself who prays in us, who continues
in the Divine Office, his work of redeeming the world."

Thomas Merton


PSALM 143:1-11
Lord, listen to my prayer:
turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful, you are just; give answer.
Do not call your servant to judgment
for no one is just in your sight.

The enemy pursues my soul;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me dwell in darkness
like the dead, long forgotten.
Therefore my spirit fails;
my heart is numb within me.

I remember the days that are past:
I ponder all your works.
I muse on what your hand has wrought
and to you I stretch out my hands.
Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.

Lord, make haste and answer;
for my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face
lest I become like those in the grave.

In the morning let me know your love
for I put my trust in you.
Make me know the way I should walk:
to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies;
I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will
for you, O Lord, are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me
in ways that are level and smooth.

For your name's sake, Lord, save my life;
in your justice save my soul from distress.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner, O.S.B. at 1:15 PM
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Br. Francis de Sales Wagner, O.S.B.
is a Catholic Benedictine monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in southwest Indiana. Besides writing, he also serves as a spiritual director. Previously, he served as secretary to the Archabbot (2015-2025) and as a writer/editor for Abbey Press (2006-2014). He is the author/editor of several books and articles in the realms of spirituality and pastoral care. He holds a master's degree in pastoral theology and a graduate certificate in spiritual direction, both from Saint Meinrad. Prior to becoming a monk, he obtained a bachelor's degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University (1988) and worked as a reporter and editor for Ohio newspapers in Galion, Springfield, and Toledo (1989-2006).
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