A Quiet Trust

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, November 5th, 2023:
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Psalm 131

R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace. 

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, 
My eyes are not raised too high; 
I do not occupy myself with things 
too great and too marvellous for me.

R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, 
Like a weaned child with its mother; 
my soul is like the weaned child,
this is with me. 

R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time on and forevermore. 

R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

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Pause. Pray. Reflect.

How exactly do I find my peace in the Lord, dear psalmist? My bible revealed that this is the whole psalm — and, honestly, I’m finding it a little lacking in direction or inspiration. However, my bible also revealed its subtitle: Song of Quiet Trust. Right! No matter what is going on in my life or the life of the world around me, I can place a quiet trust in the Lord.

But then what — I just wait for God’s response? In short, yes. Because He will respond. Yet in our world of instant everything, waiting for even five minutes for a response from God might as well be the equivalent of waiting five years. And we already know God doesn’t work by human timelines. Yet, placing this quiet trust in God affords me freedom. Truly placing my trust in God, finding my peace in Him, frees me from worry, anxiety, and fear because God will take care of it — whatever “it” is.  That doesn’t mean that there will not be work for me to do, but if I can let go of my own stuff — the aforementioned worry and fear — I will make space to hear what God is cheering me on to do and receive His guidance.  

But making that space in the midst of life is a struggle. Yesterday, in a rush, I inadvertently left my wallet in a location 1.5 hours' drive from my home. When I discovered it missing, I panicked. First, the question: Where is it? Second, the frantic search of my car, my house, every bag I could have put it in. Checking twice, thrice and, inexplicably, a fourth time, hoping the wallet would magically appear. Third, retracing my steps and ultimately realizing where I’d left it. I immediately went into problem-solving mode: Whom do I contact to confirm my wallet is where I think it is? How will I retrieve it? If it’s not there, how do I arrange to replace everything that was lost? What exactly is in my wallet that I need to replace? My brain spun with questions and anticipated action. I was so pre-occupied that I didn’t eat. I rarely do not eat!

But somewhere in my frenzied state, a small space opened, and God whispered: "All will be well, Aurea. Trust me.” As that whisper took up more space in my head and heart, my song of quiet trust arose. Then came the peace. I can beat myself up for the absentminded moment that led to my missing wallet, which as of this writing remains missing. But the better option is to trust that God will take care of it, of me. God will provide the wisdom, understanding, and strength I need to do what I need to do. And if I can practise quiet trust with my small day-to-day concerns, imagine what can happen when I do the same with the bigger concerns of our world.  

What would happen if we all developed a practice of quiet trust in our Lord?



​Aurea Sadi

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