Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

I guess I was a week ahead of myself!  This morning, when I read over the readings for Mass for my meditation, I had the ribbon of the little missal I use in the 31st Week of Ordinary Time. 
 
The readings spoke of counting worldly things as loss for the sake of Christ, and of the lost sheep (out of one-hundred).  When I got up to read at Mass, therefore, and started seeing words like sword, armor, and shield, I was a bit taken aback.  That hadn’t been in the reading I had prepared! 
 
Regretful that I had meditated on the readings for next Thursday by mistake, I really had no choice but to continue reading, unprepared.  Despite the mix-up, the words of the epistle and psalm delighted my heart.  I always love these concrete, tangible images and references to God as our Rock, fortress, and defense. 
 
These are especially appropriate now.  At this time of trial, it kind of feels like we are in a battle!
 
The psalm tends to arose joyful assurance in my heart, that He truly is: “my rock…, my mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust,” who “deliver[s His] servant from the evil sword.”
 
The reading this morning was a wonderful reminder that we really are in God’s army, relying upon his protection and grace. 
 
I’m grateful, in a way, for my little mistake this morning.  Through it I received more inspiration for the day than I would have otherwise…and I need all the help I can get!

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