Still Waters Within

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, November 9th, 2025:
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica 

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Psalm 46
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R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

Our God is our refuge and strength: a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly.
Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea.

R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle.
God is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved: God will help it in the morning early. 

R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

The Lord of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our protector.
Come and behold ye the works of the Lord: what wonders he hath done upon earth,

R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.”

Psalm 46 invites us into a stillness that feels almost impossible in modern life. Whether you’re navigating the tension of career and calling, caring for others, or simply trying to make sense of what’s next, this psalm speaks to the part of every woman that longs for peace when everything around her feels uncertain.

The psalmist describes the Earth trembling, mountains falling, and seas roaring, yet in the midst of all that motion, there’s a quiet, protected city. Its secret? “God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed.” That image feels like an invitation: to become that city ourselves, a place where God’s presence dwells even as the world shakes outside.

“The waters of the river gladden the city of God.” Those waters are grace. They are the moments of renewal that come unexpectedly; a deep breath, a kind word, a sunrise that breaks through the worry. God’s peace isn’t loud or dramatic; it flows gently, reviving us from within.

For every woman who feels stretched thin, uncertain, or weary: You don’t have to be unshakable on your own. God’s strength is not a demand to be tougher; it’s a reminder that you are not alone. His presence is your stronghold, steady and alive in the centre of your being.

When the noise of life feels overwhelming, whisper the psalmist’s words back to your soul:
“The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.”


Then let that truth settle over you like water, quiet, constant, and enough.




Theresa Langley​

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