“A Litany of Hurt and Rescue”



     Just before I started Chaplaincy Training at Geisinger Medical Center back in 1995, one of my frantic actions was to try to memorize a few of the Scripture verses from the “Ministry with the Sick” section in the back of The Book of Common Worship. Psalm 27 (verses 1, 4-9a, 13-14) was rated Number 7 in the Old Testament listings.  The opening verse I’d been using in parish ministry for 15 years: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

     The first thing then-Supervisor (Reverend) Al Lumpkin taught us as Resident Chaplains was this simple truth: “In the hospital, you will be engaging people enduring the very worst days of their lives.  Your job is to stand with them; to listen to them; and to respond with honest, respectful and understanding love.”  If that does not terrify you as it did (and does) me, then I am in awe of your faith-life experiences!  Chaplaincy training is experience-centered; most mornings (identity-concealed) hospital cases - which each Chaplain had been involved with - are presented in Group; individual-learning comes with the critique of the other Chaplains!  Humility, slopping over into despair, was usually my first response to those evaluations of my work.  Afternoons were spent visiting patients and their families, applying lessons learned.  Rinse and Repeat!

     Psalm 27 outlines a Jewish Worship Service.  It starts with a litany of confidence in God’s trust, forgiveness with repentance, and demonstration of rescue (vv. 1-6).  Next (vv. 7-12.) comes a personal lament by the worshipper face-to-Face with God.  Not surprisingly, the overwhelming feelings admitted by the worshipper are also mine:  fear, guilt and/or shame, anger (v. 2, 6, 9b.) and even abandonment by God.  Verse 10 is a plea to return to faithful normal path– something we can all get behind!  Verses 13-14 are a confession of life-affirming confidence in God’s saving love.  Reading through all of Psalm 27, in 1995 till now, reflects my reality in daily living as well as my faith!     

     The Rev. Al Lumpkin’s favorite prayer begins:

     Almighty God,

     There are times in life when things feel totally out of our control.  Remind us that they are not out of Your control.”  We lift up our (recognized emotion(s) in patient and family; for me in Psalm 27:) fear, our anger, and our distress to You.  Stand with us, hold us in love, and share Your healing grace.  (If appropriate:) We pray in Jesus’ life-giving Name.  Amen.

Rev. Jud Bennett

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