Monday, June 13, 2016

Psalm for Sunday, June 19, 2016


Reflections
 

“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”

This prayer of longing was written at a 
time when David was in the desert, a place 
where physical thirst was all around him 
and the earth was parched, lifeless and 
without water.  But David is writing also 
about a spiritual thirst that overwhelms 
him and reminds him of the emptiness 
of life without God.

David meditates on those happier moments 
when he was close to the Lord, when his 
soul was satisfied as with the riches of a 
banquet, and when he took shelter in the 
shadow of the wings of God.

We too go through times of spiritual deprivation
when we walk away from God and indulge in
sinful practices that separate us from God.
At those times, like a penitent sinner, we
experience our deepest longing for the love of
the Lord, and we seek out his loving embrace.
As our psalmist says, at times like that our soul
clings fast to the Lord, we bless him, we glorify him,
we praise him.

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist seeks the Lord because his soul thirsts for Him. 
Give an example of a time when you have hungered for God's presence 
and blessing in your life.

2.  The Psalm speaks of gazing toward the Lord in the sanctuary.
Tell of a time when you have gazed at the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament
Chapel of your parish and how you could see His power and His glory.

 

2 comments:

  1. We are believers! Life without God, would be like living in the desert without water, vegetation, and without people. Life would be very bleak from sunrise to sunset. We have much to be thankful for.

    ReplyDelete
  2. There were many times I felt the emptiness of life without God. My spiritual life was lifeless, like being without water. I cried out to God like the psalmist David did.

    I often think of those happier days when I had a close relationship with God, because I know my soul can only be satisfied fully by his presence, protection and forgiveness. I also know that only God can satisfy my deepest longings.

    Whenever I felt miserable, without peace of mind, I poured out my heart to Him. I repented, asking the Holy Spirit to show me which areas of my life I opened to the devil.

    I was searching for answers through the scriptures. His Word was a guiding light. Sometimes I intensely looked at the Lord in the Blessed Chapel. Sometimes I have confessed my sins sincerely wishing to experience His power and glory. All of sudden my longing and thirst for the Lord were satisfied with His loving presence, because my sin was forgiven. He sets me free.

    I have realized God's right hand will uphold me whenever I cling to Him. And also my longing desire for the Lord turned into quiet times of reflection and worship. I praise Him. I bless him.

    ReplyDelete