Carol Doherty, center, talks to a dozen participants of Tabor Retreat Center’s “Psalms by the Sea” in early July 2007 in Long Beach, N.Y. Doherty, pastoral associate of St. Anthony’s Church in Oceanside, N.Y., organized “Psalms by the Sea” on the first Fridays of June, July and August. (CNS photo/Pete Sheehan, Long
CHURCH SOCIAL TIPS
‘Tis the season of “summer reads.” Every year, new lists of books are compiled for you to buy, pack and read on vacation or while at the beach or pool. These selections are usually supposed to be fun, short and lighthearted.
My suggestion for a great read this summer is a little unusual: the Book of Psalms. The verses of this book in the Bible are designed for prayer, petitions, praise and meditation on God’s promises. In fact, most are used to teach us how to sing, dance, rejoice, grieve and experience anger.
Sing: “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song.” (Psalm 100:2)
Dance: “Let them praise his name in dance, make music with tambourine and lyre.” (Psalm 143:3)
Rejoice: “All you peoples clap your hands; shout to God with joyful cries.” (Psalm 47:2)
Grief: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.” (Psalm 34:19)
Anger: “Refrain from anger; abandon wrath; do not be provoked; it only brings harm.” (Psalm 37:8)
The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” refers to the Psalms as the “Masterwork of Prayer in the Old Testament” (#2585). If you struggle with prayer, this book in the Bible has only 150 chapters and can be more easily comprehended. It allows the reader to meditate on one theme or message at a time. These are the same words that inspired Kings David and Solomon and can help us come closer to Christ.
No matter where you are in your life’s journey, you will find clarity, understanding and peace in the powerful spectrum of emotions expressed in the Psalms.
I have participated in a number of “Psalms Challenges” over the years to coincide with my vacations, and each time this Bible book has touched me in different ways with different messages. Reading a whole book of the Bible also can help you start on the journey of reading the entire Bible.
There are a number of ways for you to do a challenge on your own or join one online.
On your own
- 7-day vacation: Read 20 or so Psalms a day.
- 14-day vacation: Read 10 or so Psalms a day.
- 30-day vacation: Read 5 Psalms a day.
Online
- Hallow App: Bishop Robert Barron leads you in the daily reading and reflection of five Psalms per day (hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-psalms)
- USCCB: Read the Psalms from the Catholic bible at bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/0
Also, pick up a journal to write about how the Psalm relates to you on the day you are reading it and share your thoughts on its pages.
Have a restful and reflective summer season!
Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic social media consultant based in southern California.
