Last evening my mother fell again. When we got her up she had severe pain so we called the EMTs. The ambulance took her to the Gulf Coast Medical Center ER where she was taken in instantly, had a scan, diagnosed with broken pelvis again and admitted to hospital. The ER treatment at Gulf Coast could not possibly have been better, and as soon as Linda and I arrived home the doctor on the floor called me for conversation. We will go back to the hospital later this morning.
In the Daily Office Lectionary (BCP page 956) the psalm for this morning is Psalm 31. Anyone who reads it this morning will see that the framers of the lectionary have set us on the road toward Calvary and the Cross of which we shall read this coming Palm Sunday. In the Church the words are meant for the One on the Cross. But the psalm is a lament with verses that are apt for anyone in distress whose constant and unending prayer is “Father, help me.” 
31  In te, Domine, speravi


1
In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
    deliver me in your righteousness.


2
Incline your ear to me; *
    make haste to deliver me.


3
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
    for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.


4
Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, * for you are my tower of strength.


5
Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
    for you have redeemed me,
    O LORD, O God of truth.

6
I hate those who cling to worthless idols, *
    and I put my trust in the LORD.


7
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy; *
    for you have seen my affliction;
    you know my distress.
8
You have not shut me up in the power of the enemy; * you have set my feet in an open place.


9
Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
    my eye is consumed with sorrow,
    and also my throat and my belly.


10
For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
    my strength fails me because of affliction,
    and my bones are consumed.


11
I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.


12
I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; * I am as useless as a broken pot.


13
For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
    they put their heads together against me;
    they plot to take my life.


14
But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. * I have said, "You are my God.


15
My times are in your hand; *
    rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
    and from those who persecute me.


16
Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
    and in your loving-kindness save me."


17
LORD, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you; *
    rather, let the wicked be put to shame;
    let them be silent in the grave.
18
Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against the righteous, *
    haughtily, disdainfully, and with contempt.


19
How great is your goodness, O LORD!
which you have laid up for those who fear you; *
    which you have done in the sight of all
    for those who put their trust in you.


20
You hide them in the covert of your presence from those who slander them; *
    you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.


21
Blessed be the LORD! *
    for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a besieged city.


22
Yet I said in my alarm,
"I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes." *
    Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty when I cried out to you.


23
Love the LORD, all you who worship him; *
    the LORD protects the faithful,
    but repays to the full those who act haughtily.


24
Be strong and let your heart take courage, *
    all you who wait for the LORD.
May the Lord add His blessing to the reading of his holy Word.
May the Father hear the prayer of the faithful.
And may peace come.
TW+