Christians often balk at “imprecatory” psalms, which ask God to curse and judge enemies. They appear sub-Christian, unloving, and mean-spirited. The problem is, imprecations aren’t rare in the Psalter. Forty or so psalms include prayers for judgment (5:8-10; 7:6-16; 9:19-20; 10:2, 15; 12:1-5; 17:13-15; 28:3-5; 31:17; 35:1-8; 40:13-17; 49:13-15; etc.), and others promise God will destroy his enemies without asking him to do so (e.g., 21:7-13). Excising imprecations would leave the Psalter as tattered as Jefferson’s edition of the Gospels.
POPE FRANCIS TO CONFER NEW LAY MINISTRIES FOR FIRST TIME IN ST. PETER’S BASILICA
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will confer the ministries of catechist, lector, and acolyte upon lay men and
