Today’s day of prayer is part of the liturgical tradition of the Church called rogation days.  Such days were set aside for the whole Church to pray for the necessities of existence:  for good crops for physical health, the end of plague or war or the overcoming of some threat to the health and happiness of believers.

The day of prayer not only calls forth the charity of our time to pray (and often fast) for a communal need, but it reminds us that we are dependent upon the God of loving mercy to direct our lives and our actions in ways that reflect God’s reign of justice, peace and joy.

The readings are chosen by the Church to call us to appreciate some of the characteristics of our common request. They are “for our instruction” as Paul says, not just our consolation.  To be faithful disciples we must be taught what the Master desires.

Today’s prayer reminds all of us that God alone is the source of life and that we are not free to take the lives of others or to destroy the supports for human life.  In a particular way, today calls us to reverence the life of the most vulnerable.  All too often we humans are willing to spend the lives of others in order to secure our own life or comfort.  Such behavior leads to the killing of the innocent both in the womb or in the arms of parents whose homes are bombed for someone’s enrichment. Such harm to persons is grounded in the immoral attitude that I will be my own God. I will determine who lives or dies.  This leads to violent hatred of people who appear to be less than I, different than I am, or expendable for my gain.  Our Universal Church reminds us constantly that takers of life, whether by weapons of war, methods of oppression or destruction of populations, pursuit of wealth without concern for those who are harmed, or ending preborn life that is inconvenient or unwanted, are all actions against the Holy Spirit who is the giver of life.

The Gospel reminds us that these sins unbridled are finally unforgiveable because they are the gravest form of idolatry of self.   Grounded in the conviction that I am God, I will not allow God to be God for me or for the universe God is creating.  I will determine who lives or dies.  If any of us comes to such a place we cannot, then, allow God to rescue us from sin – we cannot see that God makes the final decision about life and I must reverence God’s desire.  If I will be God for myself then there is no way that I receive the forgiveness of God and thus am unforgiveable and unforgiven.

In today’s liturgy we beg God to spare us from this sin of idolatry.  We must be prepared for God to send messengers that God wills.   They may be young as David was described in the first reading, seemingly too young to lead us. But God alone makes that decision.  Youth – even infancy – is no barrier to being God’s agent if God wills.

Challenging readings at a challenging time.  We are called to pray for the humility to know that “I am not God.”  When I can know and follow that, all can be forgiven because I recognize that I must ask for and be willing to receive God’s mercy.  I can’t MAKE it happen.

“I have anointed him that my hand may be always with him, and that my arm will make him strong.” Ps 89.22