Reflections
Psalm 68: 4-5, 6-7, 10-11 (Read)
“God,
in your goodness, you
have
made a home for the poor.”
Our
psalmist sings a tribute to our
sovereign
God, who makes a home
for
the poor in spirit. Though we may
be
forsaken, or neglected, or alone
with no
one to care for us, our God
prepares a
home for us. It is as Jesus
tells us, “In
my Father’s house there
are many dwelling
places. If there were
not, would
I have told you that I am
going to
prepare a place for you?”
(John
14:2)
Being
poor in spirit implies that one is
humble, and
does not exalt himself.
In our Gospel this Sunday,
our Savior
reminds the Pharisee within us that
the
one who humbles himself will be exalted.
(Luke
14:11)
And
in Sunday's
first reading,
we are told
to conduct
our affairs with humility, “Humble
yourself the
more, the greater you are, and
you will find favor
with God.” (Sirach
3:18)
Our
psalmist assures us sinners too that
God will
lead us out of whatever sinful habit
is holding us
captive. “He leads forth the
prisoners to prosperity.” Like
the 'bountiful
rain' showered down upon us, God
restores
us and provides for our needs.
For
all that God does for us, as the Psalm
says, we
are to “Sing to God, chant praise
to His name!”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist speaks of a 'bountiful rain' from the Lord, showering down upon us.
Tell of how you have been restored by God's living water when you were parched
1. Our psalmist speaks of a 'bountiful rain' from the Lord, showering down upon us.
Tell of how you have been restored by God's living water when you were parched
and thirsty for His presence.
2. The Psalm says that God 'leads forth prisoners to prosperity.' Have you been
2. The Psalm says that God 'leads forth prisoners to prosperity.' Have you been
set free
from sinful habits or worldly
attachments by
the Lord's healing hand?
Explain.
1. My brothers and sisters --
ReplyDeleteI have found my thirst constantly being quenched by the Lord. I have recently consecrated myself to Our Mother Mary.
She has long been a source of spiritual power I have needed in my faith journey. When you read the lives of the Saints you hear many accounts of her intercession in our holy saints lives.
She always, always points to Her Son.
We have so many richness in our vast Catholic faith. Another one I have started to proclaim is the Divine Office. Many amazing moments praying and being renewed daily with this awesome heavenly gift.
In Christ.
God is to be admired and adored with reverence and Godly fear, by all that attend in his holy places. Our God gives us strength and power. Through Christ strengthening us we can do all things, not otherwise; therefore He must have the glory of all we do, with our humble thanks for enabling us to do it, and for accepting the work of his hands in us.
ReplyDeleteTherefore we ought to say, Blessed be God; If all be from Him, let all be to Him. Amen
Jesus Christ reminds us again in Luke 14:11 by saying that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. And our psalmist implies that one who is poor in spirit is the one who is humble and does not exalt himself.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate I am! God cares for me though I may feel forsaken or alone with no one else to care for me. Because of God's protection and provision I can sing praise to God.
I have learned the truth through Jesus's teaching, "The more you humble yourself, the greater you become." Serving others in a charitable way and studying God's word daily helps me to keep away from the grip of the enemy.
Whenever I feel spiritually dry, I pray for the Lord's presence. And also in praising God constantly He restores the joy within me. Praise be to God!