My Light, My Salvation, My Mothering Hen
Psalm 27 is the lesser-known Psalm 23.
Both are trust psalms – prayers of great faith in the poet's God. God will be with them in times of trouble. Even evildoers will not undermine the psalmist's confidence in God's help.
The opening verse of Psalm 27 echoes the sentiment of Psalm 23
Our God is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Our God is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil,
Psalm 23:4
God illuminates the way forward and provides help along the way.
A modern Roman Catholic church on the western slope of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem commemorates the location where Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19).
Inside that church, there is a circular mosaic on the front of the altar. It shows a hen with her baby chicks gathered around her—an image from our Gospel Reading this week.
In Luke 13, Jesus compares his desire for Jerusalem's children to a mothering hen.
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"
Jesus wishes to be a nurturing and protective mother to the people of Jerusalem. He hopes to gather them together, even if they are known for killing prophets.
A Benediction (Or Miscellaneous Thoughts)
- If you know someone who might like to read this newsletter, forward this email to them.
- If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, click here.
Member discussion