Sometimes the psalms are neglected in the daily Mass readings, but they, like the other readings and the gospels, offer guidance. Often, the psalms express best our daily lives and reflect our challenges and our victories with rich imagery that we can then carry with us to help us throughout our day. As we heard or read or if you are just reading now:

“The LORD is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts, and I find help; then my heart exults, and with my song I give him thanks” (Psalm 28:7).

The image presented today that God is our “strength and shield” is a good one to begin this day and the week with. No matter what may come our way, God is with us to shield and protect us. Many times, it is the mental attacks of the enemy that seek to derail us in subtle and persistent ways, and we just need to continue to stand on our rock, Jesus, who keeps us from growing weary. He not only shields us from the enemy but also gives us the strength to endure.

As we begin our day, let us trust in and open our hearts and minds to our loving God and Father. He is our shield, yes, but we are not perfect. Some of those negative thoughts sneak through, and we may even slip and start to believe them. As soon as we recognize them though, we just need to immediately turn to him, breathe, receive, rest, and abide in his love again and again. Sometimes even just a minute or two of this practice, turned to as much as needed, properly orders us back to the Father and his love.

The centurion in today’s gospel did not feel worthy enough to have Jesus enter his home, yet he asked him through his emissary to heal his servant from afar. Jesus did not admonish him but commended him for his act of faith in the power of his healing word. None of us are worthy, that is not a lie. We all fall short of the glory of God because we are not God, we are human. The lie is that in our unworthiness we are not loved by God. That is false through and through. God loves us, period. We just need to be willing to recognize our limitations and like the centurion to reach out to Jesus as he did.

We do so when we pray to or ask each other to pray to Jesus for us. As long as we trust in Jesus, continue to turn to him, and reach out to others when we are in need and/or notice we need to turn back when we have turned away, all will be well.

Rest in the truth that the Lord is your strength and your shield. Let these simple words settle into your mind and heart and abide with them, trust in him, give him thanks, and maybe even break into song, throughout this day!!!

Photo: Chapel at St. Joseph and Mary Retreat Center, Mundelein, Illinois

Link for the Mass readings for Monday, September 18, 2023