We gathered this Ash Wednesday over zoom, marking ourselves with whatever dust we could find in our space, to remember that we belong and will return to the One who made us. As we listened and prayed with this psalm of David, many wrote their own prayer songs in response.
It is such a tender and sacred time to listen to what the Spirit evokes in each listener. More is stirred within us as we witness the life of God’s Spirit in another. Join us here in this circle of grace as Claudia shares her responsive psalm with us:
As I travel on the path of my life,
the path itself changes.
The slope gets steep as it climbs;
it falls sometimes precipitously.
It can be uneven, sending me stumbling into the ditch.
And there are times it is smooth, lovely;
the view long and unobstructed.
Always your presence surrounds me
even as I am often unaware,
dismissive.
Incredibly, though, each time I call,
you hear.
Not because of me
but through your great love, your tireless heart.
Oh what love.
As I look back at the road I’ve traveled,
as I see it through your eye;
the scenery behind fades.
There’s a sense of time, a sense of pain felt, a view of mistakes made,
grace received.
Some edges still feel sharp.
But what I see is a blurry past, fuzzy;
a watercolor of mixed hues
instead of crisp images.
My past is to you a beautiful palette of light,
even with its scars, tears, even the unnecessary ones I caused,
the damage I inflicted.
Oh what love
Oh what love can see.
I look forward to this road ahead even as I know today
will become part of the blurry watercolor of my life.
All the days of my life – for however long –
on this path with you, Love.
On this path with you.
Psalm 25: 1-10 (RSV)
To thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in thee I trust,
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know thy ways, O LORD;
teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me,
for thou art the God of my salvation;
for thee I wait all the day long.
Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, or my trangressions;
according to thy steadfast love remember me,
for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD!
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly savor this with Jesus.
Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.
Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 25: 1-10 (The Voice)
ALWAYS I will lift up my soul to You, Eternal One,
BECAUSE You are my God and I put my trust in You.
Do not let me be humiliated.
Do not let my enemies celebrate at my expense.
CERTAINLY none of the people who rely on You will be shamed,
but those who are unfaithful, who intentionally deceive,
they are the ones who will be disgraced.
DEMONSTRATE Your ways, O Eternal One.
Teach me to understand so I can follow.
EASE me down the path of Your truth.
FEED me Your word
because You are the True God who has saved me.
I wait all day long, hoping, trusting in You.
GRACIOUS Eternal One, remember Your compassion; rekindle Your concern and love, which have always been part of Your actions toward those who are Yours.
Do not HOLD against me the sins I committed when I was young;
instead, deal with me according to Your mercy and love.
Then Your goodness may be demonstrated in all the world, Eternal One.
IMMENSELY good and honorable is the Eternal;
that’s why He teaches sinners the way.
With JUSTICE, He directs the humble in all that is right,
and He shows them His way.
KIND and true are all the ways of the Eternal
to the people who keep His covenant and His words
