My Charming and Patient Husband and I took the kids to a Christian family conference last week, and while the kids were in age-appropriate groups for play and singing,\u00c2\u00a0 we adults heard two exceptional speakers named Bill Butterworth and Rene Schlempfer. They were both very funny, but also had good, broadly applicable messages. Rene structured his talks around Psalm 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn’t till almost the end of the week that it occurred to me that the Psalm distinctly prefigures the Sacraments. (I wonder what these Evangelical speakers would have thought about that.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below I offer first, the Psalm with one word connections to the Sacraments; and below that, my reflections on those connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
23\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>The\u00c2\u00a0Lord\u00c2\u00a0is my shepherd, I shall not want; 4\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup>Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 5\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup>Thou preparest a table before me\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0EUCHARIST 23\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>The\u00c2\u00a0Lord\u00c2\u00a0is my shepherd, I shall not want; To attach this verse to marriage might sound like a stretch. The “lie down” part, however, is more than a bawdy joke or a euphemism. The nature of marriage is both unitive and procreative. Lying down (together) is unitive, and green pastures are fertile and thus procreative. Thus, the verse points not only to the sacrament, but also to its dual purpose. A healthy, sacramental marriage is furthermore a life assistance by sharing burdens, which allows physical, emotional, and spiritual rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He leads me beside still waters;\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0BAPTISM These lines and corresponding sacraments could have been separated, but the verse seems to use them together not merely to name the action of the sacraments, but to show connection between them and grace. Both baptism and reconciliation absolve sin and instill grace. The first row refers only to baptism, but the restoration refers to both: the one time baptism, and the grace we receive with ongoing forgiveness. It is through this grace that He leads us in paths of righteousness.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup>Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, Considering that the anointing of the sick is also part of last rites, the parallel here is somewhat obvious. The valley of death, in the context of the sacrament, can be metaphorical (spiritual or emotional pain, stress, etc) or physical (illness, deformity,\u00c2\u00a0 physical suffering). I have heard a number of priests say that anointing of the sick sometimes brings physical healing but always brings spiritual healing. I fear no evil because God heals, and because earthly suffering is temporal.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n for thou art with me;My reflection, broken down:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Marriage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Baptism and reconciliation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Anointing of the sick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Holy orders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n