Reflections
Psalm 126: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (Read)
“Restore our fortunes, O Lord.”
This Sunday's Psalm celebrates the reversal of Israel’s fortune, and return
from exile, which could not have
occurred without God’s intervention.
The psalm's verses reflect praise for
what the Lord has done. “The Lord
has done great things for them.”
The psalm is also a petition asking
the Lord to look after the future of the
remaining Israelites. And there is an
expectation that God will guide them
in achieving prosperity.
“Restore again our fortunes, Lord,
like the dry stream beds of the Negeb.”
This calls to mind our lst reading from
Jeremiah, where God promises to lead
the remnant of Israel to brooks of water,
on a level road, so that none shall
stumble. (Jeremiah 31:9) We too are
looking for that water which restores
and renews, cleanses us and purifies us,
that living water which satisfies our
spiritual thirst.
The Psalm also reminds us the truly great thing
the Lord has done for us is to send his only
begotten Son to be by our side. Jesus’ presence
in our lives is a guarantee of a spiritual harvest
that will lead to our own salvation. Just as
Bartimaeus, the blind man in the Gospel, is saved
by his own faith, the Lord promises us a transition
from a sinful existence to a world of joy. (Mark 10:52)
The Psalm says it well, “Those who go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown, shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.” And therein lies a lesson for us –
to let go of our own baggage, and pick up the Lord’s
burden, because we know his yoke is easy.
Whatever type of spiritual exile may imprison us, Jesus
shows us a way out. God is in the business of deliverance.
As the prophet Jeremiah confirms, we go among the blind
and the lame to the promised land. (Jeremiah 31:8)
We carry our sacks with us and within those seeds that
we sow is contained the promise of new life, the reversal
of whatever misfortune may trouble us. When the
harvest comes in, we can join with the psalmist and sing,
"Our mouths are filled with laughter, our tongues sing for joy.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm alludes to a reversal of spiritual exile that may apply to people like us.
Tell of how the Lord has brought you back from a time of being distant from Him.
2. Our psalmist suggests that we carry the seeds of our own salvation even while
we go forth weeping. Speak of how your faith has saved you, when you looked
to the Lord for healing.
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