“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.”
We so often go to God when we need a change. We want something in ourselves, someone else or our lives to change. Something is bothering us. We are unsettled. Something isn’t right. We find ourselves kneeling down on our fragile little knees praying to God. Whether we want to name it or not…we are “broken-hearted.” A faithful person is often on two tiny knees returning a broken, tired heart to God, because that may be all they think they have. But for God that is more than enough. Even if the only room we have in our worry-filled hearts is the small brokenness, God fits in just fine.
Our prayer in the Psalm today is the mercy-filled voice of the whole human history with God. Those of our past are telling us of the wonderful way God can be close to us even when we think it is not possible. Think of those who suffered in Egypt or Abraham and Sarah or even Job. Even when God’s Son felt all had failed and He faced the greatest loss of life itself…when we are most broken, God is closest. We need to tell the story.
As a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement, my life has been filled with the wondrous grace of God and I want to join my voice to those of People of God who thank God. Has there been moments where my heart was broken? Why do you think I am thanking God? So many times God has been there for me and I want to dedicate my life to God so I can be there for my brothers and sisters when they are broken.
What is broken in my heart? What am I asking God to transform today? Or How can I join my voice to those who sing of God’s mercy? How has God has been merciful and healed me? What story of mercy can I tell and help my friends who need to hear of God’s mercy today?
Fr. Brian Terry, SA is the Minister General of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, an order of men dedicated to restoring unity with God, with others and with oneself.
Thank you Lord for Prayers Answered and being with me in all I do and say. Amen