We are at the end of May, the close of the month, the winding down of the school year—for some, a bit of feeling another cycle past, a summer fast approaching. About a month ago, I made a decision to do something I have never done in my life. I decided that I would read through, at my best, pray through, the Psalms. The Book of Psalms has been called "the gymnasium of the soul" by St. Ambrose (4th century bishop of Milan). He called it that because he encouraged people to "use the psalms" to stretch their prayer muscles, to strengthen their hearts, and connect with their spiritual core. So, I used the Book of Common Prayer's version of the Psalms (starting on page 585 of the BCP), and you'll notice there that the directions note which psalms you should pray on "first day" or "second day" of the month—going for thirty days. Sometimes people ask me how they should pray or what they should pray. One simple suggestion is to use the psalms as your prayers. They may not be the words of your heart, but sometimes, you'll be surprised, that they are. Other days, you may wonder: What is going on here? Some days, you'll say to yourself, "This can't be in the Bible!?" What I've discovered so far by letting the Psalms be my prayers is that I, too, am in need of support and help and strength when I don't have the words, don't know how to talk with God, and it's a deep gift to trust others (even those who wrote the Psalms so long ago), not only with my words, but with my heart. Coming to the close of this month and praying the Psalms, I've noticed that I've become more open to God, to myself, and to my own limitations. It's been a pretty good month in the gym.
Friends, this Sunday we are throwing a party to celebrate the close of another program year. I hope you'll be there, bring a dish to share, and let yourself be open to one another, to the love we share here, which is where God happens. I'll see you on Sunday, with a full plate and an open heart.
Peace to you,
Nick
