February 22, 2021: Monday of the 1st Week of Lent

Many of us reading this entry have access to more material goods and comforts than any of our elders or ancestors could ever have imagined. We live in an age of abundance in a well-to-do society.  But there are also many who suffer privation. Perhaps you know someone who lives with hunger or has medical needs that can not be met due to a lack of funds, or for other reasons.

Psalm 23, the responsorial psalm for today, juxtaposes this want with the generosity of the Lord.  Early in the psalm, there are several references to the threats: “want”, “dark valley”, “evil”, and “foes”. The Lord, the Shepherd, counters these threats with abundant consolations. The theme of the vigilant shepherd in Psalm 23 is a balm in this pandemic-weary world. “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” There is no need to fear the darkness of this world or the Covid-19 virus. The Great Shepherd watches over us and supplies all of our needs.

And lest we suspect that the images in the psalm have no real impact on the day-to-day experience of wanting, let us turn to the liturgical context of this psalm. Today, February 22, the rhythm of Lent gets its first interruption, with the Feast of the Chair of Peter, a celebration honoring the cathedra of the apostle. The observance of this day began in the early Church, and there is evidence that Peter taught in Rome from such a chair. The feast marks, among other things, the unity of the Church, and the readings call attention to its administration, providing instructions and models to those who have authority. Presbyters or elders are the subject of 1 Peter 5:1-4. The apostle writes “as a fellow presbyter”, urging the leaders to “tend the flock” both willingly and eagerly, and to “be examples”. The advice can be read more broadly, as well, as a call to serve.

And this is where the spiritual rubber meets the material road: From the very beginning, the Church served those in need, in faithful imitation of the Shepherd, the Christ who gave his very self to heal us, to make us whole. And members of the church, as recipients of these gifts, are called to imitate Him.

During this Lenten season allow the Great Shepherd to carry you through your valley of darkness into the light of His love. Seek out those in need and be generous. Shepherd them into the presence of our Lord.

- Joseph Orchard, Ph.D., Music Department, Caldwell University & Nan Childress Orchard, DMA, Music Department, Caldwell University


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