Psalm 23 begins with words that make us comforted for their straightforward admission of our need: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” It is this line that prepares us to receive the seven sacraments in just six short verses of a beautiful hymn. And before we explore the sacraments themselves in the words of the psalmist, we must pause to recognize why we need them.
I was blessed recently to accompany 13 of our students on a retreat to Folly Beach, the theme of which was holy friendship. Students shared with one another about how friendship is a form of love, and the importance of having healthy friendships with yourself, with others and with God. It is this latter form of friendship that I’ve been reflecting on lately.