Spiritual Crisis

How long, Lord? 

Will you forget me forever?

Psalm 13:1

A spiritual crisis for me is missing our weekly communion. I miss the breaking of the bread and pouring of the cup. I I miss gathering as one body and hearing the liturgy reminding me: "We pray for all who are in sorrow or in pain, all who are ill or alone . . ."

The untold spiritual crisis is that more than 416,000 Americans have died from Covid 19, and they often die alone. 

There is powerful image of an elderly woman in a nursing home placing her hand on a window and a young relative placing her hand on the other side of it. This image, for me, raises questions about our living and dying. Will we live separated, isolated lives? Will we die alone? 

It is part of being human to face a spiritual crisis. It may be anxiety about personal finances, the uncertainty of our times, dismay for lack of human dignity, and fears related to the Covid 19. 

For me, Psalm 13 is source of strength in a spiritual crisis.  The psalm asks, "How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?  How long must I bear pain in my soul?" 

Verse 3 prays for relief from pain, "Look on me and answer, Lord my God." 

Verse 5 says "But I trust in your unfailing love".

Verse 6 concludes, "But I trusted in your steadfast love;  I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me."

Psalm 13 describes a spiritual crisis and the hope in trusting in the Lord. It seems to me that this is how we travel the spiritual crisis of our time. 

Ask. 

Pray. 

Trust.