R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. (Psalm 69)

The Lord hears the cry of the poor . . . how important the psalms are for the church. The Book of Psalms was the original hymn book for the temple which means they were written to be sung . . . not recited. Although the music hasn’t survived, we still have the lyrics. Every age and culture of the church have made the psalms their own. Musicians, composers and singers have combined to produce beautiful music with these ancient hymns. The message of the psalms still sings!

Today is the feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists. Like most religious founders, Saint Alphonsus wrote a meditation on the fourteen stations of The Way of the Cross. I still remember how each meditation ended:

I love you, Jesus, my love, with my whole heart. I repent of ever having offended you. Never permit me to offend you again. Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.