When I meditate upon your Light, my heart opens with compassion for all life.
This is how the veil is lifted, how the soul is filled with truth and light.
Then we will not judge others, and we will radiate love and healing to the world.
For as we develop the capacity to bless others,
we will lighten the fears in the world.
Uphold us according to your Promise,
that we may love; let not fear and illusions find a home in us.
We have only to return to You and acknowledged our regret;
and You forgive us, refreshing our souls.
O friends, let us sing praises before such a Gift,
before such all-enfolding Love, Wisdom, and Power!
Nan C. Merrill Psalms for Praying
Reflection:
Hate is a strong word, or so we have been told. Here, and in other biblical texts, its meaning is closer to “aversion” which means that we want to keep a distance from this person or thing and not that we desire to do harm or see it destroyed. For the psalmist, hating the double-minded, the wicked, the evil doers, means that she wants to separate herself from them and focus on being in the presence of God’s law and love.
Like the psalmist, I want to be separated from whatever draws my attention away from God’s law and love. This can mean avoiding the wicked just as much as it means being separated from the wickedness within me. God forgives and renews us so that our souls are aligned with God’s wisdom and love.
Period Pastor Pad 