Dunkirk and the Father's Protection | #1514

Lent, 1st Sunday (C) On May 10, 1940, the Nazi German Army invaded Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. By May 21, German forces had trapped the British, Belgian, and French field armies along the northern coast of France. The British withdrew to Dunkirk, the closest good port, in a desperate attempt to evacuate the army across the English Channel. German tanks and dive bombers were closing in.

Winston Churchill had just taken office. He was not known to be religious, but at the request of King George VI, a national day of prayer was declared in England. The people didn't really know exactly what they were praying for, as the media had not reported the desperate situation. Inexplicably, the German army halted for three days. They were worried about the marshy ground and getting over-extended. It gave the allied armies just enough time to build defensive fortifications.

Meanwhile, a massive sea operation was taking place. Ordinary people took their boats and yachts across the channel to assist the evacuation. Often very rough, the waters were as smooth as glass. German bombers assaulted Dunkirk and destroyed much of the town and the docks. But the smoke from the bombing hung over the beach, obscuring the operation. The RAF flew squadron after squadron across the channel to provide air coverage. A force of 40,000 French fought to the death against wave after wave of German tank attacks.

Imagine being trapped on the beach between the sea and the war. To calm themselves, soldiers started singing hymns. One had memorized Psalm 91 and recited it from memory. Many other soldiers knew it and they began saying it too. Soon whole companies were chanting, "He who dwells on the shelter of the most high, and abides in the shade of the Almighty..."

By the 8th day, 338,000 men had been evacuated. The evacuation is considered a miracle. Historians believe this was evacuation was one of the key reasons why Hitler lost the war.

Where do you turn when things look hopeless? Do you run and hide? Do you give up? Or do you turn to God's word? Jesus has spent 40 days in the desert. He's hungry, tired, and he feels abandoned by God. It is precisely when he is down that Satan pounces on him. Jesus responds, not with his own words, but with the Word of God. God's word is on his lips and in his heart.

A quarter-century ago, me and my fellow seminarians would pray Psalm 91 as part of Night Prayer every Sunday night . To this day, I know the Psalm by heart. It is there when I need it. Have you committed any favorite hymns to memory? Do you know any psalms by heart? When your back is against the sea and your enemies have you surrounded, where will you turn?

Going Deeper: Pick a psalm that speaks to you and recite it morning and night. The version I know of Psalm 91 comes from the GRAIL psalter.

Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High *
and abides in the shade of the Almighty
says to the Lord: “My refuge, *
my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!”

It is he who will free you from the snare *
of the fowler who seeks to destroy you;
he will conceal you with his pinions *
and under his wings you will find refuge.

You will not fear the terror of the night *
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the plague that prowls in the darkness *
nor the scourge that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side, *
ten thousand fall at your right,
you, it will never approach; *
his faithfulness is buckler and shield.

Your eyes have only to look *
to see how the wicked are repaid,
you who have said: “Lord, my refuge!” *
and have made the Most High your dwelling.

Upon you no evil shall fall, *
no plague approach where you dwell.
For you has he commanded his angels, *
to keep you in all your ways.

They shall bear you upon their hands *
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
On the lion and the viper you will tread *
and trample the young lion and the dragon.

Since he clings to me in love, I will free him; *
protect him for he knows my name.
When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you,” *
I will save him in distress and give him glory.

With length of life I will content him; *
I shall let him see my saving power.

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