Reflections
"The promises of the LORD I will sing forever."
Whatever
our circumstances,
we are encouraged to
sing to
the Lord of His goodness.
Just
as Elisha promised the
woman of Shunem, in
Sunday’s
first
reading, that she would bear
a son, so does the Lord
reach out
to us in unlikely circumstances.
The
Lord surprises us when we are
barren; He renews
us when we are spent;
He grants us a share in
the life of the
Messiah even though we are unworthy
and sinful.
All
we have to do is bear
our cross and praise Him,
sing of His promises
forever, as our
psalmist says.
There may be interruptions in
our joy, and there
will be times when we will question,
“How could
the Lord allow this to happen to
me?” But so long
as we bear our cross with dignity
and die to sin,
then we are living for God in
Christ Jesus,
as St Paul reminds us. (Romans
6: 11)
Jesus
says in today’s Gospel that we are not worthy
of Him if we do not take up our cross. We must lose
our
life for Christ in order to find it. (Matthew
10: 38-39)
Despite
the setbacks we face, we must endure;
for
as St Paul tells us, endurance produces character
and
character produces hope, which does not
disappoint.
(Romans 5: 3-5)
Whatever
it takes, our psalmist tells us, “Through
all
generations my mouth shall proclaim your
faithfulness.” Our job is to know the joyful shout;
to
walk in the light of God’s countenance; and to
sing
the goodness of the Lord forever.
Amen
Discussion
Questions for Reflection
1.
Are you able to sing of the promises of the Lord even
when you have been
disappointed or are suffering?
Explain
2.
Are you one of the blessed people who walk in
the light of the Lord’s
countenance? Speak of how
His countenance is reflected in your own face.
“ The promises of the Lord I will sing forever.”
ReplyDeletePaul says in Romans 8:18-25 that our sufferings are nothing to compare to the glory of Jesus Christ. That’s why Jesus says to us, "Follow me." Each of us carries his own cross in one way or another. If we endure it patiently, we are able to share God’s glorified body and live with Him for all eternity. What an amazing Grace! He will respond by pouring us over with the Holy Spirit.
With God's Grace I can reach out with God’s Love to the poor and to whomever is in pain. His gentleness, goodness, and kindness overflow out of His heart. Without His help I am weak and powerless. He even strengthens me and gives me endurance to follow in His footsteps bearing my own cross.
And so the Lord makes me shine in the light of His countenance. He fills me with inner joy. His love reflects from my face so that I can be a more loving witness to the people around me.
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever!