Times of Betrayal
This morning’s prayer really had me thinking. Psalm 54 is a lament of a just man undergoing terrible persecution by the unjust, gathered at every side. The grief in this persons’ voice struck a deep cord within my own soul. In one stanza, it presented an image, and the first image that came to mind was Christs’ betrayal by Judas. The pain of remembering good times seems to be more than this person can bear. No greater pain exists, than that of betrayal by a close friend.
“For if my enemy had slandered me,
I think I could have borne it.
And if the one who hated me had trampled me,
perhaps I could have hidden.
But you – a man just like me,
my companion and my friend!
We had happy times together,
we walked together in the house of God.”
We can see this today. The Church is Christs’ body, we are the composition of this body. The body is always striving to move forward guided by the grace of wisdom of Gods’ Holy Spirit to do one thing, God’s will. You can’t help but feel betrayed by the actions by some of it’s members, and you feel a great sadness after the anger subsides. When members of the body rebel against the head, it causes a sickness within and it spreads, if not checked, it will lead to death. The head has to respond by sending fighters to halt this spread, and save as much as it can of what remains. We can see some of these fighters, boldly taking up the good fight and standing firm in the breech. I can see it, and feel it in their words. Some people can’t because they are blinded. They think in a pragmatic sense, and that majority rules in everything. In the eternal fight, it’s God whom we fight for. It’s his plan, his rules, his world. Our ways are not his, our way of thinking is not his way.
The news reporter covering the fall gathering of Bishops put there own spin on how the election to their different spots within the USCCB are going to those that were much more liberal with there views. They singled out that the most outspoken bishops were passed over. Sort of like punishing them for putting the US Church in a bad spot with the new administration. I say (pardon my bluntness) it’s BS. They, if they knew anything about these few, know it’s not for worldly spots they are fighting. They are fighting for the remnant, that will suffer greatly in the coming years.
If my image of the grieving Christ is true, then he must be grieving again. Betrayed again by a flock that failed to heed his wisdom, and again seeing his Church fighting against itself, and his people seeking only to fulfill their own needs and concerns without regard to the impact of the most vulnerable. This narcissistic tendency can only be the downfall of this great country; Because when we only care about ourselves, we have no room to care for anyone else.
Still with all the lamenting, we still must trust in the providence of God,
“Throw all your cares on the Lord
and he will give you sustenance.
He will not let the just be buffeted for ever.”
A big opportunity for us to regroup, and find our voice again. To once again find our faith. I read that in the darkest hours, that moment when we cannot feel or find any trace of God, that is when God intends something much more than we can imagine to happen. Our faith is getting ready to explode into new growth resulting in a much deeper relationship with him. I am hopeful and very excited.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be his Holy name.
November 14 2008 07:30 am | LOTH and inspiration and pro-life
Julia on 14 Nov 2008 at 8:51 am #
This was a great article this morning, I also felt that the Psalms were referring to Christ and Judas that was the first thought that entered into my mind. It was very sad. To be betrayed by a friend is the worst kind of pain, you seem to lose your trust in people and it takes a while to regain that trust in others. Thank you for sharing.
julia on 14 Nov 2008 at 8:54 am #
My comment disappeared. I also felt the same why you did with the Psalms this morning, in the office. It did seem like the 2 people were Christ and Judas. I know to be betrayed by a friend is one of the most hurtful things a person can go through. Your post this morning is a wonderful reflection. Thank you for sharing.