Psalm for Sunday, January 7, 2018

Reflections

Psalm 72:  1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13   (Read)

"Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."

This Psalm is a prayer for our newborn King. 

Our psalmist speaks of a Messiah 

who will be like the “rain coming down 
upon the fields,  like showers watering the earth.” 

Our psalmist prays that our newborn King 

will be anointed by God with divine judgment 

and empowered to rule the earth.

The prophet Isaiah in Sunday's first reading 
predicts that the light of the Lord 

will cause our hearts to overflow 

and the riches of the sea to be emptied out 
before us.  (Isaiah 60: 5)

Our psalmist also speaks of “abundance 

that will flourish in his days.” 

But the Messiah is among us 

to do more than bless us materially;

our Savior has come to make our burdens light, 

to share our afflictions.

We see the light, just as the prophet Isaiah 
said we would.

And in the Psalm's verses, the mystery 
is revealed to us, poor in spirit though 
we are:  “He rescues the poor when they 
cry out [as we do], the oppressed 
who have no one to help.”

This is what our Good Shepherd Jesus 
is sent to do, to shepherd God’s people. 

This is why we join the Magi in doing 
homage to our newborn King and join 
with our psalmist in singing,

"Blessed be the Lord; Blessed be His 
glorious name."

Amem


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist mentions 'afflicted ones' and 'the afflicted' in two of the Psalm's 
verses.  Are there times when you can identify yourself as an 'afflicted' one?   
Tell what remedies are available to you that are mentioned in the Psalm.

2.  The Psalm says, 'Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.'   Using the 
verses of the Psalm, explain why 'all kings' would want to pay homage to our Lord.