Psalm for Sunday, May 26, 2013

Reflections
 
Psalm 8:  4-5, 6-7, 8-9
 
“What is man that you are mindful of him?
Yet you have made him little less than a god.”  
 
Why did our Creator give us life?
Why are we given rule over God's works,
and why did He put all things under our feet?
These age old questions are raised again
by our psalmist, David, who is awed that God
has made us so much like heavenly beings.
 
It is clear that we are made in the image of God,
and we are His children.  As Wisdom tells us,
God takes delight in his children.  And St. Paul
reminds us that the Love of God has been poured
out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit within us. 
God dwells within us that we might have a share in
His divinity.  And Isaiah reminds us, “The creator
established the earth, not creating it to be a wasteland,
but designing it to be lived in.”

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the
Holy Trinity, and we are told by our psalmist that
we are made “little less than the angels.”
Having been baptized in the Spirit, we are able
to experience the divine Trinity within us.  It is said
that we shall feel a resemblance to God in our souls. 
'It is in the most secret recesses of the soul that God
is known, in which he acts and exists.  God is one with us;
we can no more separate ourselves from God than
from our own selves.'  (Father John Tauler)

The Catechism teaches that God has destined us
to share in the exchange of love among the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.   'Man's living area is
broadened and raised up to the supernatural level
of divine life.' (Blessed John Paul II)  
 
'The Father has sent the Spirit into our hearts
so that we cry “Abba, Father.”   God is nearer
to us than we are to ourselves through
the divine indwelling' (Magnificat).  If that is so,
then we should be devoted to bearing fruit and
lifting up our brothers and sisters, fulfilling the
gifts of the Spirit that have been given to us.
If we do that,  God will truly be pleased, and
what better way is there to praise Him than by
doing His work.  “O Lord, our God, how wonderful
your name in all the earth!”  'Blessed are you O Lord,
in the heavens above and on earth below.'
 
Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection 
 
1.  Our Psalmist says that we are made 'little less than
the angels,and crowned with glory and honor.' 
As a child of God, speak of how you are doing the work
of the Lord and how you know He takes pleasure in what you do.

2.  The Psalm tells us that the Lord has given us humans dominion
over all the beasts of the field ... and whatever swims the paths
of the seas.'  We know also that the earth was designed to be lived in. 
What are you doing to be a good steward over the 'works of His hands?'