Monday, May 16, 2016

Psalm for Sunday, May 22, 2016


Reflections


“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 the voice of Wisdom tells us, in 
Sunday's first reading, God takes delight 
in his children.  (Proverbs 8:31)
And St Paul, in the second reading,
reminds us that the Love of God has 
been poured out into our hearts through 
the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
(Romans 5:5) 
God dwells within us that we might have 
a share in His divinity.

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the
Holy Trinity.  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).

Believing this 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. 
As our psalmist says,O Lord, our God, how wonderful
your name in all the earth!” 
 
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?'
  


4 comments:

  1. Rudy H5:34 PM

    This psalm explores the theme of God’s majestic splendor and our puny insignificance by way of comparison. And yet at the same time, God has created us in His image and graciously crowned us with glory and majesty. He has assigned us the role of ruling over His creation. All of these thoughts should lead us, as the psalm both begins and ends, to declare in worship, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!”

    How can we apply this psalm in our daily life?

    1. We should bow in awe before our majestic Creator!

    2. We should treat each person with value and respect as beings created in God’s image.

    3. We should raise our children to love, fear, and serve God as the only way to make life count.

    4. We should take pleasure in whatever work God gives us to do, doing it heartily as unto Him.

    5. We should enjoy God through His creation.

    ReplyDelete
  2. J Kim9:39 PM

    The concept of "Imago Dei" means that humans are created in the image of God. I think it's important to note that "image" doesn't mean identical. It means similar... bearing a likeness to... or being representative of something. We are close to God and can be like Him. We can also be unlike Him.

    Father John Tauler is quoted as saying, "We can no more separate ourselves from God than from our own selves." What a comforting thought ... that even when I sin... God is not just with me, but inside me. The Magnificat says the same, "God is nearer to us than we are to ourselves through the divine indwelling." I can agree wholeheartedly when I am in a season of strong prayer, successful outcomes, and am full of God-confidence. In such times, I am like God. My heart feels generous and I can more closely love as He does.

    However, I must confess that many times I am unlike God. I feel the struggle of temptation, sin, and discouragement overwhelm me. While I still have the Creator's image stamped upon my soul, I can still experience real valleys of darkness. Does God dwell in me less during these times? Is His image in me diminished? I should think not.

    Perhaps worldly worries and concerns cause murkiness in my soul. It can become harder to see Him, when He is clearly there, as always. I believe praise and prayer are the way out of such difficult, cloudy times and into clear conditions. Hopefully, He takes pleasure when I find Him again and embrace the divine likeness.

    ReplyDelete
  3. God has set his glory above the heavens. It is a mystery for humans to understand that God is one in three: the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This Sunday we will be celebrating the Holy Trinity. Because of God's love and grace for humans, I am able to experience the divine Trinity within me. Since He sent us the Holy Spirit -- Jesus' soul, I have been baptized in the Spirit. He makes a dwelling place in me. And so I can live in his divinity. What more do I need to know about one God in three persons?

    As a child of God, a likeness of Him, I thought about what I am supposed to do to be a good steward over the works of his hands. In order to fulfill the law of Christ I need to live in unity with other Christians. To bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit is very important for Christian life. We have to carry each other's burdens with love and live in harmony and serve others in Christ's name joyfully.

    First of all I choose each day to put Christ first in my life. Led by the Holy Spirit, I have to surrender to
    His will and make God pleased with my stewardship: Loving others who are unlovable and sharing with others in need. I will use my resources wisely because God holds me accountable for my stewardship. In this Psalm God assures me of the worth of mankind and so He considers me highly valuable. Thanks be to God, one in three Trinity.

    ReplyDelete
  4. IT TAKES A LOT of FAITH TO UNDERSTAND THE 3 PERSONS IN ONE GOD. BUT THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES. IT CAN’T BE COMPARED TO “THERE ARE 3 PERSONS IN THIS 1 HUMAN FAMILY.”
    YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH TO ACCEPT THE CATHOLIC PACKAGE. IT’S NOT A SMORGASBORD WHERE YOU ACCEPT SOME ARTICLES AND YOU CAN REJECT OTHERS.

    ReplyDelete