One of my nieces wrote a simple message on her Facebook page: “God is real.” When I saw the message, I decided to “like” it on my Facebook page. That “like” occasioned a personal message from her telling me that she had joined an initiative that would post simple statements about God for seven days without comment or explanation. She invited me to join the initiative. The only catch was that if someone “liked” my post, I had to write to them and ask them to do the same, just as my niece had done. So I took the plunge and told her that I would join her in the initiative.
Today I am on my fourth day, and the message that I am supposed to post is “God is my strength.” Imagine my surprise when I prayed Psalm 62 this morning, the responsorial psalm for today’s readings. The psalmist prays: My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation. God alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress; I shall never fall. (Psalm 62:2-3) I know that the sacred writer doesn’t use the word “strength,” but it is surely implied in referring to God as the rock and fortress of life.
Most of us depend upon others. That is, after all, the nature of chronic illness and/or disability. We are no longer able to do everything for ourselves. For some, being dependent upon others is a cross in and of itself. Americans cherish the notion of the rugged individual. Our heroes are those who can go it alone, who can stand against the tide and never give in. It is part of our ethos, our culture, our self-image. It is, I dare say, also very non-biblical. The sacred writers were all from a culture that cherished the group rather than the individual. Their strength was found in their connection to others, particularly in their connection to God. They struggle when they are alone. They thrive when they are with others.
I have heard so many people tell me that they don’t need to go to Church to worship God. They can do that all by themselves. There is a certain amount of truth in that. God is everywhere; we can turn to God whenever and wherever we are so inclined. This “me and God” attitude is very prevalent in our culture. Even when we gather in communal worship, there are those who would rather simply ignore those who are with them. This is their special time with God so don’t bother them.
God is my fortress. God is my rock. God is my strength. My soul rests in God alone. Yet when I want to turn to God, the easiest place to find God is in the assembly, the community, the group. Jesus told Simon that the Church would be built upon him, the Rock. When we gather together, we are standing on the rock and are surrounded by the fortress. The searing winds of doubt and despair cannot penetrate the walls of this fortress.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator