Psalm 41
1Happy are they who consider the poor and needy! *
the LORD will deliver them in the time of trouble.
2The LORD preserves them and keeps them alive,
so that they may be happy in the land; *
he does not hand them over to the will of their enemies.
3The LORD sustains them on their sickbed *
and ministers to them in their illness.
4I said, “LORD, be merciful to me; *
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
5My enemies are saying wicked things about me: *
When will he die, and his name perish?”
6Even if they come to see me, they speak empty words; *
their heart collects false rumors;
they go outside and spread them.
7All my enemies whisper together about me *
and devise evil against me.
8″A deadly thing,” they say, “has fastened on him; *
he has taken to his bed and will never get up again.”
9Even my best friend, whom I trusted,
who broke bread with me, *
has lifted up his heel and turned against me.
10But you, O LORD, be merciful to me and raise me up, *
and I shall repay them.
11By this I know you are pleased with me, *
that my enemy does not triumph over me.
12In my integrity you hold me fast, *
and shall set me before your face for ever.
13Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, *
from age to age. Amen. Amen.
A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
