Fears and Tears

“Lord, + open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise”. This is the first line prayed in the first hour of prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. It is the official set of prayers along with the Mass that is the official prayer of the Church.

This first line really resonated with me in a new way this week. I felt God touch my heart and He desires praise to come from me from the first moment of my day. He desires me to praise Him. It was this simple prayer – “Lord, + open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise” that I felt God had answered for me. He opened my eyes to the profound meaning of this prayer, a prayer that is prayed all over the world. The words are powerful and meaningful and bring honor and glory to God, what a beautiful sentiment.

I have learned from listening to the podcast, “Bible in a Year,” by Father Mike Schmitz, that Judah means “praise.” Judah was the first tribe of the 12 tribes of Israel to go forth praising and worshiping the Lord. Whether in the desert before battle or heading to the promised land, Judah went first. The tribe of Judah is the Davidic lineage which Jesus comes from through his mother Mary and his foster father Joseph.

The symbol of Judah is the lion: powerful, majestic, courageous and kingly. David and his descendants would rule over Israel until the Babylon captivity and generations later Jesus Christ would come as descendent of David and Judah with the new covenant. It is quite remarkable as I enter Holy Week to walk with the Lord, remaining with Him as He endures His passion out of great love for me. I give Him all praise and glory, for worthy is He who was slain for me.

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53.5