A Reflection for Tuesday, March 11 by Pastor Katherine Mayer
Lectionary reading for 3/11/25: Psalm 17; Zechariah 3:1-10; 2 Peter 2:4-21
Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 17 (NRSVUE)
Read
Psalm 17 (NRSVUE)
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right.
3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They flush me out; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them! By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
14 from mortals—by your hand, O Lord— from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their little ones.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
Reflect
David is crying out to God to not only hear him but to protect him. He is looking to God to be his protector and place of safety. The beautiful part is the trust that David has in his prayer to God. He trusts that God will be his place of safety and knows that he can cry out to God. All too often we need to cry out to God but stop ourselves for different reasons. Sometimes we stop ourselves because we don’t trust that God will hear our cries or maybe we feel as though our need is not as great as someone else’s. Sometimes we stop ourselves because it is scary to open ourselves up and be vulnerable. Sometimes our pride gets in the way and we think that we can do it ourselves. It is clear that David is not letting his flesh stop him from reaching out to God. He is in need of God’s refuge and protection.
As I reflect on this passage, I can’t help but think of people in our lives who have the same plea. They are looking to God for protection and refuge. They are crying out for God to hide them in the shadow of God’s wings (vs. 8). They are desperate for those who are trying to cause them harm to be held accountable. Their cries are all around us. Can we hear them? Sometimes the cries of those are loud and other times more silent. What can we do when we hear their cries? How does God show steadfast love to us when our cries are heard?
The Lenten season is a time of reflection as we journey to the cross and the celebration of Easter. A time where we let the steadfast love of God wash over us. A time where we might let our cries out more easily. For me my heart is crying out for healing and wholeness for my physical body. My heart is crying for refuge for those in our country who are scared. My heart is crying for justice for those who are in need. My heart is crying and pleading for the division that surrounds us to start to mend. What is your heart crying out to God for? Where do you see God’s steadfast love this week?
Respond
Pause and take a deep breath. Take a moment to reflect on what your heart might be crying out for. After you have a moment to reflect.
Reread the passage three to five times to see what God highlights for you. How can you carry that with you today and into the rest of the Lenten season?
Rest
May we rest in the knowledge that we are loved. May we take a moment to breathe in the breath of life. This Lenten season may cling to the love that we feel knowing that our cries are heard. That the pleas we might have for ourselves, our community, and our country are heard by God.
About the Author
Katherine Mayer is a pastor, wife, mom and Spiritual Director. This past fall she stepped down from her position at her church serving as an Associate Pastor so that she could focus on raising her kids and her own health. Being called out of her position was not something she expected but it has been an unexpected gift from the Lord.
This reflection is part of a series called Prayerful Reflections: A Daily Devotional for Lent 2025. Join us on the blog each day for a new reflection from a different writer, or download the pdf of the entire devotional by clicking the link.
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