Reflections
“I
will give thanks to you,
O
Lord, with all my heart.”
Our
psalmist David composed
this
prayer with a grateful heart.
David
is grateful because his
petitions
are answered by the Lord.
“For
you have heard the words
of
my mouth.” The Lord's answers
to
our psalmist's prayers have come
at
a critical time, a time when David
is
seeking to build up his strength.
David
speaks of a divine rescue --
“When
I cried out, you answered;
you
strengthened my spirit.”
Perhaps
we’re all in need of a spiritual
rescue
of the type David describes.
And
it isn’t because of any of the
psalmist’s
virtues that he obtains
salvation. It is a result of God’s
loving fidelity. “Lord, your love is
eternal.”
salvation. It is a result of God’s
loving fidelity. “Lord, your love is
eternal.”
Our
Savior Jesus conveys a similar
teaching
in this Sunday's Gospel,
“Ask
and you will receive; seek and
you
will find; knock and the door
will
be opened to you. For everyone
who
asks, receives; and the one
who
seeks, finds.” (Luke 11:9-10)
Our
God does not forsake the work
of
His hands, though who has given
the
Lord anything that he may be repaid?
Our
psalmist reminds us—all God
has
to do is stretch out his right hand,
and
we will be saved. “You stretch out
your
hand, your right hand saves me.”
Unworthy
as we are, and though the
Lord
is exalted, He watches over us in
our
lowly state. And thanks be to God,
His
kindness endures forever.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist affirms that God answers our needs, "Lord, on the day I called for help,
you answered me." Give an example of how your prayers have been answered at a
critical time in your life.
2. The Psalm reminds us that although the Lord is exalted, He sees the lowly.
What is it that gives you confidence that the Lord will not forsake you, even though
He is exalted and you are among the lowly ones.
1. Our psalmist affirms that God answers our needs, "Lord, on the day I called for help,
you answered me." Give an example of how your prayers have been answered at a
critical time in your life.
2. The Psalm reminds us that although the Lord is exalted, He sees the lowly.
What is it that gives you confidence that the Lord will not forsake you, even though
He is exalted and you are among the lowly ones.
1) Before one of my club basketball games this year against an old teammate/former friend, I found myself extremely stressed out and worried. I wanted to play well and I wanted to win. The day before the game I prayed the rosary, along with a personal prayer. The next day, I had an amazing game, I made the difference, and we won.
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Indeed, indeed brother Barry...for the Lord has heard and answered my cry in a most generous way. Oh, how beautiful to cry to the Lord for that He longs to answer us with the fullest of Joy!! Amen, alleluia.
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