Fr Rory Writes

Fr Rory Writes:                                                                                The Bigger Picture

See and Read Psalm 91

At our last Hailsham Minister Fraternal, David Bourne led our time of prayer.  It was a true Godsend, at a time in an hour of need.  It was a real tonic for me, a grace and a blessing.  Above all a source of inspiration for us all, through the trials that are about to afflict us.  He based it on Psalm 91, and I am hoping to draw inspiration from it throughout the weeks to come.

“whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.”

As David expressed ….  it’s a really beautiful Psalm and is full of re-assurance, promises of safety and victory pour out verse after verse. 

But the really big question, “To whom are these promises given?” .  The obvious first answer may appear to be to everyone, but that really misses the mark by a mile.  

Yes, the promises remain and are genuine.  But in order to avail of the fruits, then something very different is required.

Our more normal selves can be much more resistant to these promises than we would like to think.  It is easier to see other people’s faults, at this time when the church is in lockdown and many of the means that we thought were guarantees to God’s favour and most acceptable to him are not open to us.

Please God, that time of prayer and teaching was a very genuine moment for me.  Why was it? and why do I remain so apprehensive, so anxious, and as I have come to recognise, so vulnerable.  It may be a good time for us all to address your human situation at the moment.