Postfeast of Ascension
Psalm 107
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and He delivered them from their distress.
(Psalm 107: 6,13,19,28)Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love,
for His wonderful works to the sons of men.
(Psalm 107: 8,15,21,31)
Psalm 107 is probably a hymn that was sung by pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem to celebrate a feast. The two verses above are the refrains, as the psalm first recounts times of trouble and the Lord’s deliverance.
The types of distress are instructive.
Wandering, no place to live, hungry and thirsty.
Despairing, “in darkness and in gloom,” imprisoned.
Feeling bowed down with hard labor, with none to help.
Desperate fear in the midst of a deadly storm.
And then there is self-inflicted illness and affliction brought on by “sinful ways” and rebellion against God’s words.
In all of this the Lord delivers and heals.
He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and He brought them to their desired haven.
(Psalm 107:29-30; see also Mark 4:39)
Deep distress followed by deliverance: what other response can there by besides gratitude and joy? And doesn’t that experience unite all who have gone through it?
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
for His steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom He has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
(Psalm 107: 1-3)
At Saint Vladimir’s Seminary
Metropolitan Tikhon and I have been at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary since yesterday morning, first for the celebration of Ascension (and two ordinations), then for meetings of the Board, Commencement and the Arvo Pärt concert at Carnegie Hall tomorrow night.
It has become a tradition for the Board to host a dinner for the graduating students and their spouses. This was held last night, and board members—who come from across the US—had the opportunity to sit with students and hear about their experiences and plans. I am always struck by the diversity of the seminarians. The 22 graduates come from San Diego, Seattle, Calgary, Toronto and Muncie, Indiana. And also from Mexico City, Sicily, Moscow, Siberia, Egypt and Kerala (India). Their churches are OCA, Antiochian, Coptic, Indian, Moscow Patriarchate, Armenian, Greek and Byzantine Catholic. One spent ten years in the Army before coming to Seminary. Another was a talk-radio host. Some have already raised families, others are just getting engaged, about to be married or have infants a few weeks old. They will serve as parish priests, choir directors, teachers, hospital and military chaplains. Some are going on for further study (one to Notre Dame for a PhD in Early Christianity).
What a blessing for our churches. What hope this gives. The Lord continues to raise up zealous men and women willing to serve and to be His witnesses. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!