Cry Out: The First Step of the Ascent
Ash Wednesday
In my distress I cry to the Lord, that he may answer me: “Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.” What shall be given to you? And what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war! Psalm 120 (RSV)
To live in the world is to live as pilgrims.
So much of modern life is filled with comforts. It becomes difficult to long for something when we are so attached to the things of the world. Whether it’s our scrolling addiction to social media, or television and the countless series on streaming platforms, or the myriad of food choices we can pick from. If we are not careful we will forget that we are in exile and will stop crying out. Maybe this Lent, we can detach from some particular comfort or comforts and recover a sense of longing.
The pilgrim in Psalm 120 cries out to the Lord for deliverance. “Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar.” These two lands with funny names symbolize a world not at peace with God. Like us, the psalmist is displaced—not only geographically but spiritually. We live in a world not at peace with God. The Apostle Paul reminds us that “while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord” (2 Cor 5:6). Peter tells us to conduct ourselves with fear throughout the time of our exile (1 Pet 1:17).
The world the psalmist lives in is not different from ours. It’s a world full of deceit and division. A world saturated with words. The constant barrage and noise of news, commentary, accusation, outrage. It’s never ending. Yes, between Meshech and Kedar lies a land of factions, suspicion, and distortion.
What are we to do?
We must cry out to God, who can deliver us from lying lips and a deceitful tongue (Ps 120:2). The world and so much of the chaos is a war of tongues, of speech. Sadly, it’s often our own. Proverbs warns: “There are six things which the Lord hates… a lying tongue… a false witness who breathes out lies, and a man who sows discord among brothers” (Prov 6:16–19). James declares that the tongue is “a fire… a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:6–8).
Today is a good time to turn and look inward.
It’s easy to lament the lies around us but harder to confront the disorder within. With what tongue do I bless the Lord? And with what tone do I speak of others made in His image?
Lent asks for a door and bolt for the mouth.
It calls for silence, restraint, purification of speech. As the Catechism teaches, offenses against truth wound justice and charity (cf. CCC 2464–2470). Jesus, help us be truthful. In seeking truth, we find peace.
So, today’s psalm (120) begins the ascent not with strength, but with honesty. We are not home yet. The world wounds. Words hurt. Peace is fragile. But the first step towards Jerusalem is simple and decisive: “In my distress I called to the Lord.” And He answered.
Today, as we begin our Lenten journey, let us not silence our distress. Our cry to Him is the beginning of ascent.
© 2026, Lawain McNeil, Mission Surrender, LLC.