Psalm for Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015

Reflections
 
Psalm 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23  (Read)

“I shall not die, but live.”

Today's Psalm is an Easter song that marks
the procession of the pilgrims going up
to Jerusalem for the feast of Tabernacles.
The Psalm begins with a call to praise
that starts the procession, “Give thanks 
to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.”

Israel is continuously put to the test,
humbled and then delivered.  In so doing,
Israel discovers its calling to be a people 
of God and to bear witness to the nations.

Jesus makes this calling his own,
and in the Psalm we read prophetic
verses that recall the paschal mystery 
of Christ, who is rejected and then exalted,
and who becomes the foundation stone
of the new people of God, “I shall not die, 
but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” 

As the psalmist says, “The right hand of 
the Lord has struck with power; the right 
hand of the Lord is exalted.”  Our days of 
mocking our Savior are over; we no longer 
hurl insults at him.  “The stone the builders 
rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Our savior has risen. 
“By the Lord has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.”

Amen
 
Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.   Our Response is, "This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad."  On this Easter Sunday,
explain what is the basis of your joy and gladness and how your
life is affected by our exalted Savior.

2.  Our Lord, rejected by the 'builders' of his time,
has become the 'cornerstone' of our lives.   What does it mean
to you to build your faith on the resurrection of Jesus?