The Abyss

 

LECTIO:

Psalm

107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31

R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They who sailed the sea in ships,
    trading on the deep waters,
These saw the works of the LORD
    and his wonders in the abyss.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His command raised up a storm wind
    which tossed its waves on high.
They mounted up to heaven; they sank to the depths;
    their hearts melted away in their plight.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They cried to the LORD in their distress;
    from their straits he rescued them,
He hushed the storm to a gentle breeze,
    and the billows of the sea were stilled.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They rejoiced that they were calmed,
    and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his kindness
    and his wondrous deeds to the children of men.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.

STUDIUM:

These particular verses are addressed to those who are tossed about by storms.  Sometimes, we feel like we can't catch a break.  No matter what happens, God is there.  He is loving and kind to those in distressed.

MEDITATIO:

Sometimes the storms are personal and more often it's national politics, and international problems.  The world is a mess.  The prince of this world is having his hay day.  How much longer before You come, Lord.

ORATIO:

Lord, only You can calm this world's storms.  Bless us, Lord.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Come quickly, Lord.

ADDEDNUM: Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

God is Our Savior

Psalm 107 is a hymn of thanksgiving.  It is a praise to God for being rescued, from physical conditions, imprisonment, situations, etc.  These particular verses spoke to me: Psalm 107: 8-16.

...
Let them thank the Lord for such kindness,
 such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
For He satisfied the thirsty,
 filled the hungry with good things.

Some lived in darkness and gloom,
 in prison, bound with chains,
Because they rebelled against God's word,
 scorned the counsel of the Most High,
Who humbled their hearts through hardship;
 they stumbled with no one to help.
In their distress they cried to the Lord,
 who saved them in their peril,
Led them forth from darkness and gloom
 and broke their chains asunder.
Let them thank the Lord for such kindness,
 such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
For He broke down the gates of bronze
 and snapped the bars of iron.

Wherever God's people were, He rescued them.  This is shown through out Israel's history.  My "cloistered brothers" consider themselves saved, also.  Many think that they would have been dead by now, were it not for being arrested and ending up in prison.  Many call it a blessing, not only for stopping their destructive behavior, but also for finding God.  "Let them thank the Lord..."