Pursued by goodness and mercy
by Kathy Matuschka
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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long (Psalm 23:6).
Read Psalm 23
Sometimes (not always), my hospital chaplaincy conversations turn to matters of Christian faith, and the person I am visiting indicates they would like me to pray with them. It’s not unusual for the conversation to continue like this:
‘Shall I read from the Bible before we pray? Do you have a favourite text?’
‘Er ….’
‘How about Psalm 23 – The Lord is my Shepherd?’
‘(Big smile) Oh yes!’
I used to think that the frequent choice of Psalm 23 for funerals, as well as TV and movie depictions of church services, was a cliché. I imagined that people chose it because it was the only Scripture they knew.
But since I’ve been a hospital chaplain, I’ve become convinced that this choice comes from somewhere important and real. Maybe it comes from a connection with the faith of a loved parent or grandparent, or perhaps it expresses a faith that transcends organised religion for the person I’m sitting beside, or maybe they are a regular churchgoer. It doesn’t matter: Psalm 23 offers a map of real life and a statement of trust in God’s loving presence.
Psalm 23 levels the playing field: whether your faith is simple and earthy, or you have a PhD in theology, it’s like the manger: we come with nothing to give and everything to receive. I love the imagery in verse six above of goodness and mercy pursuing us. We like to think we can keep our eyes on the Shepherd ahead of us and simply follow, but in fact, we need training to stay on track. Like a sheepdog nipping at our heels, goodness and mercy chase us down again and again, drawing us to rest in God’s presence.
Dear loving Shepherd, you know what is on my heart and mind today. Please hem me in with your goodness and mercy, so that I can rest in your presence as I continue on my way. Amen.
Kathy is learning to give up her struggle to make sense of God and God’s world, and instead rest in the mystery of love that holds her each day.
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