J19 We need to talk

 Psalm 4:1 & 3: "Answer me when I call, O God of my right! Thou hast given me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer...know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him."

Chrysostom says it all. He of the 'Golden Mouth' needs no interpretation:

"Typically, when we converse with people of a class above us, we make sure that our appearance and gait and attire are as they should be and dialogue with them accordingly. When we approach God, by contrast, we yawn, scratch ourselves, look this way and that, pay little attention, loll on the ground, do the shopping..."

or

"being of sober mind and contrite spirit, approaching Him in a flood of tears, seeking nothing of this life, longing for things to come, making petition for spiritual goods, not calling down curses on enemies, bearing no grudges, banishing all disquiet from the soul, making our approach with heart broken, being humble, practicing meekness, directing our tongues to good report...

"This is the way you should be righteous; and being righteous you will be heard, since you have such an advocate."

Reflection: When a friend or neighbor drops in on me with no notice, I may have a dirty kitchen, or clothes on the floor. But if I invite someone to come, and they enter a house in disarray, they rightly feel disrespected. Let it never be, that I make an appointment with God to pray, yet do not bother to prepare myself to converse with the Almighty! And I don't think it's enough, just to kick the dirty clothes under the bed, when the doorbell rings.

Of course, when I am in immediate and unforeseen need, that is different. If my house is on fire, I am not ashamed to call out to a neighbor for help, even if the sink is full of dishes and I am ungroomed.

Chrysostom is here concerned with the casual and unexamined date with God -- yes, He is my friend, but how often have I abused His friendship with insufferable presumption! With disrespect!

My prayer today: Oh Lord, I pray forgiveness for the casual or rote dropping-in that characterizes so much of my prayer life. I know I don't need to be ritualistic to approach your throne, but neither should I be so casual as I frequently am. Yes, You want me to be a 'friend,' as we hear taught so often these days. But my creator deserves more respect and more focus than I sometimes give. Let my prayers be a sweet savor, not a noxious stink.

(1) "Commentary on Psalms," IVP Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, OT volume vii, Blaising & Hardin, Eds

2017, 10/12/2021. 8/31/2024