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YES! Though I walk through the valley of death

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Psalm 23

The Lord is My Shepherd. I will lack nothing.

In green pastures he ties me.

In addition to clear waters it guides me.

He restores my soul.

He will guide me along the paths of justice for his namesake.

Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil.

Because you are with me.

Your rod and your staff will give me encouragement.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil.

My cup is overflowing.

Certainly good and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Since I am 85 years old, this Psalm has a special meaning for me.

But it should have a meaningful meaning for everyone because it is a powerful message of God’s love for us.

For those who don’t know, it was written thousands of years ago by King David, who was once a shepherd. Throughout those years, it has been, for many, a source of healing and comfort.

I remember a time when I was traveling in Morocco as a tourist. We were on a bus and the tour guide pointed out a lone shepherd standing on a hill looking after just one sheep. My faith tells me that if I were the only person who ever lived, God loves me so much that He would sacrifice His Son for me. That is why this Psalm comforts me in the shadow of my life.

I would like to share it with you by giving you my interpretation of its meaning.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD:

A shepherd’s job is to loyally watch over his sheep and protect them from all predators. He is with them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in all kinds of weather and conditions. Sheep are defenseless and would not survive without your constant care. If a sheep gets lost, the shepherd looks for it and returns it to a safe place. So is God with us.

I WILL MISS NOTHING:

What it means to me is that if I put my trust in my Pastor I will have everything I need. Perhaps not all the material things that we find so important these days, but all that is necessary to sustain me physically and spiritually.

MAKES ME LAY ON GREEN PASTURES:

Sheep need green pastures to survive. The shepherd takes them to his livelihood and keeps them there. Then God will provide us with the food we need. This is spiritual food as well as real food. He tells us … “When you eat this bread …”

He also makes us realize the importance of resting by putting aside our daily tasks and finding time to be with Him in prayer.

HE LEADS ME BESIDES CLEAR WATERS;

We need water to survive physically, but also with the healing water of baptism. Keep in mind that it is clear water that cleanses us and calm water that brings us peace. Without its water, our life would be sterile.

HE RESTORES MY SOUL:

Our God is a loving Father who is patient and forgiving and is always ready and eager to bring us back to His fold. No matter how sinful we have been, if we just say we’re sorry, His arms are wide open.

HE LEADS ME ON THE WAYS OF JUSTICE BY HIS NAME HE SAYS:

God’s word and lessons are everywhere. We have the Ten Commandments, the scriptures, the Psalms, and the pastor clergy.

In the act of contrition we say: “Oh my God, I am sorry to have offended you … I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins to do penance and to amend my life …”. the intention to change is not fair. It is okay to be sorry, but we must sincerely strive to change.

EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, BECAUSE YOU ARE WITH ME:

How well known is this phrase? It is prayed at funerals and when a person is near death. It is said that there are no atheists in the trenches. Death is something we all must face. I see it as a great adventure. We must all contemplate death so that when it comes to us, we do not have fear and faith that our Shepherd awaits us with His Love.

YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF COMFORT ME:

I firmly believe that there are demons in the world whose purpose is to destroy us. And our lives are a constant battle with the forces of evil. The Shepherd’s rod and staff not only guide the sheep, but are weapons against these predators. It comforts me to know that my God and Shepherd uses his rod and his staff to prod me when I need to be pushed and protects me when I am weak.

YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES:

Once again we are surrounded by enemies who seek to destroy us, and yet in the midst of all this evil we are blessed and comforted in the presence of God. And we eat and drink of his generous love for us.

YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL:

Anointing the head with oil was a practice in biblical days used to honor and dignify a person. Oil was a rare and expensive commodity. This anointing shows the love and respect that God has for us. Even today, the oil is used sacramentally. We are special in their eyes. Every single one of us.

MY RUNNING CUP:

Our Pastor gives us more than we need. We are so blessed! I have written before that it is important for us to count or blessings. We should never take for granted all the gifts that we have been given.

Certainly kindness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life:

No matter how hard we have tried to be good and follow God’s wishes, unfortunately we are all sinners. That is why we always need the mercy of our Shepherd. And fortunately, although, in our weakness, we sometimes run from His mercy, He follows us faithfully and relentlessly. There is a poem that I like called “The Hound of Heaven.” The poet in cadence and words describes how God constantly and persistently pursues us to redeem us.

IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD I WILL LIVE FOREVER:

That should be our goal. That one day we will be in the Celestial House of our Shepherd, where we will live in eternal peace and happiness.

May Almighty God bless and shepherd you always.

By Carl Mondello

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