There is a lot of fear out there us these days, as we face a multitude of problems, from the pandemic to economic survival. It is difficult not to focus on the “what-if” or “could-be” variety of negative “possibility thinking” which our flesh is heir to. Anxiety has been defined as “living in the gap between the now and the then.” So, are you living in the gaps? This wonderful little psalm seeks to resolve any and all fear. The shortest of all 150 Psalms, Psalm 131 consists of a mere three verses:
“O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time on and forevermore” (vvs.1-3).
Jesus tells us that we must become as children to enter the kingdom of God, and that those who elevate themselves, God will humble – for their own benefit. But children know who they are; they are humble and not upset about that. Nor are they really concerned with the things they realize are beyond their grasp. For that they have to trust their parents. Their hearts are open and trusting and teachable; assuming they feel loved, and especially when they are small. They like being held; they readily calm down when in the sturdy arms of mom or dad.
Now, as David perfectly grasped in this brief and yet profound psalm, being thus humbled back into your childhood mentality can be one of the best things that can happen to you. Don’t fight it; let it be, just as you need to let God be God. God is already your Ultimate Mama or Papa; let God be so, taking in all the joy you can about this fantastic fact. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and let your divine Parent handle the really big stuff which will remain beyond your grasp. Let the One in charge be the One in charge. You are capable of doing that, really. You just have to want to; you must be willing to be God’s child, trusting God completely, as does an infant trust its momma.
Whenever I slowly read David’s words, I re-enter into my childhood, I re-experience my childhood, as well as the childhood of my own children, when I used to hold them, even rocking them to sleep. As my heart opens and I cease focusing on the great issues, letting go of all concerns and coming fully into the present, and the silent offer of being held like a child of the Beloved, a calmed peace fills me, and I am at trusting rest, just like a weaned child with its mother.
The prayer of St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), found in her breviary after her death, brings me to much the same place as Psalm 131. I hold them together in my heart as companion pieces. The one leads my heart over to the other.
“Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”
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