All the Days of My Life
AM Psalm 75, 76 • PM Psalm 23, 27
Lev. 23:23-44 • 2 Thess. 3:1-18 • Matt. 7:12-21
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
Thanks to faithful parents who helped me set life-long habits of worship, I can say that, until recently, I have been physically regular in church attendance since nine months before I was born. How could any of us ever have imagined that our church-going would now become virtual? Yet with today’s internet capabilities and the blessing of skilled technicians, we are adjusting to services online on Sunday, and at our house, finding ourselves more attentive in weekday prayer times.
In keeping with our rector’s “Top Ten Suggestions” for home worship listed in a recent Communicant, we have set up our area with votive candles and fresh flowers, thanks to nature’s abundance this spring. We don’t allow distractions, and we are habitual, marking the 8:45 service on Sunday morning as a “sacred appointment” on our calendar, followed by our usual brunch of omelets in the sunroom. But beyond that, we claim “old people status.” We find sitting in bed in our robes, with the computer between us, coffee cups in hand, the perfect setting for Sunday worship, since there are no family or friends surrounding us, except in spirit.
During the week we have developed a new habit of worshiping together through Morning and Evening Prayers. Opening each day with prayer brightens the day, and closing the day with prayer eases anxieties toward restful sleep. Besides the services of St. Paul's, we have come to look forward to daily worship at the National Cathedral. At both places, we are in awe of the generosity of the priests, readers, singers, instrumentalists, acolytes, technicians, and altar and flower guilds who continue to risk their health to lead us in worship. We pray for all of them and thank God for them.
It’s so easy to let anxiety about the present and the future creep in. But Psalm 27 in our assigned readings offers assurance and peace today and always:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? v.1
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord! vv.13-14
Written by Kay DuVal
However you are continuing your habits of worship, I hope you feel God’s grace and love through these days. God be with you until we are gathered together again in body as well as spirit.