the power of psalm 23

later this morning, i will see my childhood friend ted schmidt at st paul church. he and i attended elementary school there. we have lasting memories from st paul. these experiences have shaped us

i have the honor of presiding at the funeral mass of ted’s mother. i carry fond memories of her kindness and concern. she and mr schmidt surprised me by attending my ordination as a deacon in 1993 at the san gabriel mission in california!

the last words mrs schmidt heard on this earth were from the chaplain praying psalm 23. this morning, i pondered the new jerusalem translation:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

In grassy meadows he lets me lie. By tranquil streams he leads me to restore my spirit.

He guides me in paths of saving justice as befits his name.

Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me.

You prepare a table for me under the eyes of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup brims over.

Kindness and faithful love pursue me every day of my life. I make my home in the house of the Lord for all time to come.

these song lyrics are three thousand years old and they still pierce the human heart. today, i linger on this verse:

Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death I should fear no danger, for you are at my side.

how much comfort do these words give to our souls? what if these were the last words that we heard in the last moments of life?

we give the Lord thanks for you mrs. schmidt. you are a loving gift to us from God. pray for us as we walk the dark ravines of life. pray that we remember the Lord is always at our side. rest in the good shepherd’s embrace.