1I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
2The cords of death entangled me;
the grip of the grave took hold of me; *
I came to grief and sorrow.
3Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *
“O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”
4Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *
our God is full of compassion.
5The Lord watches over the innocent; *
I was brought very low, and he helped me.
6Turn again to your rest, O my soul, *
for the Lord has treated you well.
7For you have rescued my life from death, *
my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
8I will walk in the presence of the Lord *
in the land of the living.
--Psalm 116:1-8
During Holy week, I came across a Stations of the Cross art exhibit curated by Victoria Emily Jones at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I invite you to walk through this visual journey, reflecting and meditating on the Stations of the Cross, paired with prayer and images from this past year.
View the virtual exhibit at Smithsonian Stations of the Cross 2018. When you reach slide 7, you have the option to hear the St. Mark’s choir, directed by James Wallace, as they sing “Were You There.”
“Were You There” was likely composed by enslaved African-Americans in the 19th century. It was first published in William Eleazar Barton’s 1899 Old Plantation Hymns.1 In 1940, it was included in the Episcopal Church hymnal, making it the first African-American spiritual to be included in any major American hymnal.2 In order to hear this hymn, press the music icon on slide 7. May this visual meditation help guide you in your reflection on the meaning of Good Friday and the suffering of this past year.
Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
--The Rev. Katie Solter
___________________________
Spread the word!
Do you know someone in the St. Mark’s community who would enjoy these reflections?
