Psalm for Sunday, September 21, 2025

 

Reflections

Psalm 113: 1-2, 4-6, 7-8   (Read) 

 “He raises up the lowly from the dust.”

This Psalm teaches us once again 

that our God, who is at once exalted above all men, is willing to stoop low 

and to raise us up to His own level.   

God reverses common wisdom, 

and we who are called His servants 

are lifted up out of the dung heap 

of life and treated as royalty in His kingdom. 

“Who is like the Lord, our God, who is enthroned
on high and looks upon the heavens and the earth
below.”   It is God's nature to seek out the lowly
and the afflicted ones of this world, and who is to say
that we are not all afflicted?

Christ Jesus shows an amazing ability to bring up
to His level the outcast of society – the poor, the
lowly, the barren.  Often criticized for eating and
drinking with sinners, our Savior shows us how
to behave toward our neighbors, to understand
that it is the sick who need a physician.

Jesus' behavior is in sharp contrast to the conduct
of the merchants described in Sunday's first reading

(Amos 8: 4-7).   They have undisguised contempt for 

the poor whom they are exploiting.   But Jesus 

reminds us that the poor have a divine and powerful 

advocate.   The compassion of our Lord reaches 

down to those whom the powerful of the earth regard 

as nothing.  Jesus devotes his spiritual wealth and 

loving attention not to those who can give something 

in return, but to those whom the world disregards.   

With such a loving God in our midst, we are inspired
to become like Him, and to join with our psalmist and
sing praise to our God, and praise his name.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection 

1.  Our Psalm reminds us that the Lord on high reaches down to our human level to lift us up.   How can it be that our God, who is exalted above all nations, is willing to stoop to our lowly level and show concern for us?

2.  What does it mean when our psalmist says that God raises up the lowly from the dust and seats them with princes?

Psalm for Sunday, September 14, 2025

 

Reflections (by J Kim)        

Psalm 78: 1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38  (Read)

"Do not forget the works of the Lord!"

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

draws on Psalm 78, a passage that recounts 

the rebellious nature of the people of Israel.   

The Psalmist describes their forgetfulness, 

disobedience, ungratefulness, and insincere 

praise of God.  As we read such descriptions, 

we must soberly recognize our own shortcomings 

and look up to the Holy Cross to deliver us from sin. 

Beginning with Verse 34, "While he slew them 

they sought him and inquired after God again," 

we are linked to the first reading.  Numbers 21 

describes God's use of venomous snakes to punish 

the people for their unbelief and complaining.  In their 

suffering, the people turn to Moses and the Lord for help; 

Moses is instructed to make a bronze snake and put it up 

on a pole for all to see.  The people looked up, believed,

and were healed.  In the Gospel of John, the image

is brought to its full meaning:  as the Israelites were 

healed by obeying God's command to look up at the 

elevated bronze serpent, believers today can be saved

by looking up to Jesus and his death on the cross.

Unfortunately, the next verses of the Psalm detail 

the fickle nature of the Israelites.   Over and over, 

they would claim to follow God for a while and then 

turn away from him.  "But they flattered him with their 

mouths and lied to him with their tongues, though their 

hearts were not steadfast toward him, nor were they 

faithful to his covenant."  (v. 36-37).  They followed God 

with their words and not with their hearts.  

An omniscient and all-powerful God would have every 

right to be angered.  Does our Lord choose to punish

His children?  The most tender, comforting, and 

awe-inspiring answer is found in v. 38:  "But he, being

merciful, forgave their sin and destroyed them not; '

Often he turned back his anger and let none of his wrath 

be roused."  God shows mercy on the Israelites; as many 

times as they rebel, He offers love and guidance, 

sometimes, firmly.  He is the same with us today, 

exhibiting perfect patience.  We must not "forget the 

works of the Lord," but remember to seek Him and 

exalt the cross at all times, not just in seasons of dire need.  

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Just like the Israelites, when have you been guilty of forgetfulness,

thanklessness, or rebellion?  What has been God's response?

2.  How do you "Exalt the Cross" in your daily life?  Or... perhaps, 

do you need to raise Him up higher for yourself and others to see?

Psalm for Sunday, September 7, 2025

 

Reflections

Psalm 90: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17   (Read)

“In every age, O Lord, you have been 

our refuge.”

Our Psalmist describes us humans 

as miserable creatures, whose lives 

are dismally brief.  We are like the 

“changing grass, which at dawn 

springs up anew, but by evening 

wilts and fades.”  What hope is 

there for us humans whose lives 

are cut short in our sleep?  Our 

sinful nature incurs the righteous 

anger of the Lord.

“The corruptible body burdens the 

soul.”  (Wisdom 9:15)

What are we to do?

We are to take refuge in the Lord, 

as the Psalm says. We are to pray 

that we may gain wisdom of heart, 

as our Psalmist says. We are to ask 

for God's favor in our lives. We are 

to humble ourselves and learn to fill 

our limited days by doing the Lord's 

will in our lives.  However fleeting our 

lives, we pray that God will “prosper 

the work of our hands,” that we will 

know the will of God and act upon it.

We are to pray through the dark night 

that God will fill us at daybreak with his

kindness, for this will be the day of our

salvation.  We are to have a right 

relationship with the Lord, believe in His 

Son, who took upon Himself our weak 

human form, so that we would know 

what it means to bear our cross as He

did for us. Christ took on the earthen 

shelter of human flesh in order to show 

us how to let go of it.

It is no accident that many seniors are 

counted among those believers who 

attend daily Mass.  For as they approach 

the end of their brief lives on earth, their 

days more and more are filled with the 

hope of being part of God's kingdom 

forever.  All of us look forward to the day 

when we may sing for joy in God's 

presence and be filled with the love of the 

Lord.  As the Psalm says, “May the 

gracious care of the Lord our God be 

ours forever.”

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  The Psalm speaks of 'numbering our days aright.'  What are you doing to make your days on earth count for something in the eyes of the Lord?

 
2.  Our Psalm carries a strong message that our human lives are fleeting but that God is eternal.  How are you preparing to be in God's presence forever?

Psalm for Sunday, August 31, 2025

 

Reflections         

                                     
Psalm 68: 4-5, 6-7, 10-11    (Read)

 
 “God, in your goodness, you
have made a home for the poor.”

Our psalmist sings a tribute to our
sovereign God, who makes a home
for the poor in spirit.   Though we may
be forsaken, or neglected, or alone with
no one to care for us, our God prepares
a home for us.   It is as Jesus tells us,
“In my Father’s house there are many
dwelling places.  If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going
to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2)

Being poor in spirit implies that one is humble,
and does not exalt himself.    In our Gospel this
Sunday, our Savior reminds the Pharisee within us
that the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

And in this Sunday's first reading from Sirach, 
we are told to conduct our affairs with humility, 
“Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, 
and you will find favor with God.”  (Sirach 3:18)

Our psalmist assures us sinners too that God
will lead us out of whatever sinful habit is holding
us captive.  “He leads forth the prisoners to prosperity.”
Like the 'bountiful rain' showered down upon us,
God restores us and provides for our needs.

For all that God does for us, as the Psalm says, 
we are to “Sing to God, chant praise to His name!”

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist speaks of a 'bountiful rain' from the Lord, showering 
down upon us.  Tell of how you have been restored by God's living 
water when you were parched and thirsty for His presence.

2.  The Psalm says that God 'leads forth prisoners to prosperity.'   
Have you been set free from sinful habits or worldly attachments 
by the Lord's healing hand?   Explain.

Psalm for Sunday, August 24, 2025

Reflections

Psalm 117: 1, 2    (Read)

“Praise the Lord all you nations;
glorify Him all you peoples!”
 
This Sunday we sing this brief Psalm
that inspires us to rise up and praise
the God of Israel, and having done so,
to go out to all the world and tell the 
Good News.
 
Just as the prophet Isaiah proclaims 
in this Sunday's first reading, we are 
comforted that God reaches out to us 
no matter what our language, no matter 
we live in the distant coastlands, no matter 
we have never heard of God or seen His glory.  
Isaiah says it this way, “They shall proclaim 
my glory among the nations.” (Isaiah 66:19)

St Paul cites this psalm in Romans 15:11 when
he exhorts the faithful to minister to the Gentiles.
We too are called to reach out to those who are
distant from us spiritually, even though they may not
be distant physically, some of whom may even be
within our midst.
 
And what inspires us to proclaim the good news?
It is as our psalmist says, “God's love for us is strong;
His faithfulness is forever.”
 
Amen
  

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our Psalmist is inspired by the power of God's love toward us.  
Speak of how God's love and mercy have done a work in your life.

2.  The Psalm prompts us to witness to those who may be distant 
from us spiritually.  Give an example of how you proclaim the Good News to those who may not know God.

Psalm for Sunday, August 17, 2025

Reflections 

Psalm 40: 2, 3, 4, 18   (Read)

"Lord, come to my aid!"

Our psalmist waits for the Lord

to reach out to him. He begs 

the Lord, “Lord, come to my aid!”

In Sunday's first reading 

the prophet Jeremiah was lifted 

out of the cistern. (Jeremiah 38:10)

So too our psalmist David says,

“The Lord drew me out of the

pit of destruction.” We are like that.

We are weak on our own;

we need the Lord’s strength to be

delivered from our sinful ways.

We put our trust in God.

Our God is an awesome God.

“Many shall look on in awe

and trust in the Lord.”

Our psalmist says, “He put a 

new song into my mouth.” 

For us, too, it is no longer the 

same old tune.  We are in fact 

a new creation, joyfully

singing out the good news.

Where does our joyful spirit 

come from? It comes from the 

Lord, and we are called to share 

what He has given us and to do

his will, which is our delight.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection
 

1.   Our Psalm recalls for us that we place our trust in the Lord.  Speak of how 

you have been lifted up and delivered by God.

2.  Our psalmist says that the Lord has put a new song into his mouth.
This reminds us that we are a new creation in the Lord.  Tell of how you have been reborn in the Spirit.

  

Psalm for Sunday, August 10, 2025

 

Reflections

Psalm 33: 1, 12, 18-19, 20-22   (Read)

“The eyes of the Lord are upon those
who fear Him, to deliver them from death." 

The Lord's eyes are upon us because
we hold Him in awe, we praise Him.
Like a Good Shepherd He protects us
from harm; He puts up a hedge around us
and provides us with armor in our battle
against death and the evil one.  He feeds us
when we go through periods of spiritual
hunger.  He nourishes us and gives us our
daily spiritual bread.

Where else would we turn for deliverance
from death, the kind of death which is a
consequence of sin?  Remember, 'the wages
of sin is death,' and we are all afflicted.
Fortunately for us, Christ destroyed death
and brought life to us.

We would be dead in our sins without
the Lord's protection, defeated by the evil one
without the Lord's armor.  And when our heart
is starved for God's presence, when our bones
are dry, He nourishes us and breathes life into
our dry bones.

It is through His divine plan that we are saved.
Our own feeble efforts count for nothing.
We must be submissive and abandon ourselves
to His will and His grace.  Because Christ humbles
Himself for our sake, there is hope for us,
even in our time of spiritual famine.  That is the
meaning of the verse, “Lord, let your mercy
be on us, as we place our trust in you.”

Amen 

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our Psalm Response this Sunday is, "Blessed the people
the Lord has chosen to be His own."  Speak of how you apply
this verse to your daily life.

2.  Verse 12 of the Psalm says, "Blessed is the nation whose God
is the Lord."  Tell of how important it is that our nation receive
God's blessing and His protection