Sunday | June 09, 2024
Psalm 130:1
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
10th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mercy Within Mercy
Today’s psalm has to be one of the most consoling ones in the entire Psalter. It begins with a declaration of deep trouble: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.” We have all experienced such depths: a serious illness, an addiction, the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, a natural disaster, a major disappointment, fear of the future, shame for our wrong doings. But then the psalmist says to God: “…with you is forgiveness…is kindness…is plenteous redemption” (vv. 4, 7-8).
These words remind me of the description of God given by the Trappist monk Thomas Merton: “God is mercy within mercy within mercy.” If this is true, how could we ever be afraid to call out to this God—no matter what depths we find ourselves in?
God of Mercy, give me a deeper sense of your kindness and forgiveness. And help me to live these qualities in my own life.
- Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
Genesis 3:9-15 • Psalm 130:1-8 • 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1 • Mark 3:20-35
