Daily Meditation for March 29, 2023

Psalm 30 says,“Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning.” However, many of the struggles in our lives take longer than waiting ’til morning for joy to return. Long-lasting physical anguish and disability, spiraling mental pain, conflict and disappointment that seems endless, are discouraging. As we pray for the world, wars, violence, injustice to the vulnerable, hatred, and dishonesty continue to flourish. We need Psalm 13 to lament: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts, and every day have sorrow in my heart?” So not only the intensity of suffering, but also its duration, challenges us to remain faithful. We continue to believe that God’s goodness and love will overtake us and we will finally know and experience the return of joy. Meanwhile, we continue to pray, “How long, O Lord, how long?”

By Mary Jackle, OSB