Psalm 95: 1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (Read)

“We are the people God

shepherds, the flock He guides.”

The Psalm is a call to praise

the Lord and to obey Him.

We are cautioned not to

'harden our hearts' as the

Israelites did at Meribah.

We are not to test the Lord

as our spiritual ancestors

tested the Lord 'as in the day

of Massah in the desert.'

After all, we are 'God’s well

tended flock.'

Our Lord is a good shepherd, and we

are His sheep. As St Paul tells us in

today's second reading, the love of

God is 'poured out into our hearts

through the holy Spirit.' (Romans 5:5)

Knowing that, we should 'bow down

in worship, kneel before the Lord

who made us,' as the Psalm says.

And when we humble ourselves

and open our hearts to the Lord,

we are set free. We are no longer
constrained by the things of this world,

and we can be open to His love and

His teachings.

Today's Gospel affirms that Our Lord Jesus

is our savior, and just as the life of the Samaritan

woman at the well was transformed by the words

of Jesus, we too can be transformed, if we truly

listen to the Lord. Not only will He tell us

'everything we ever did,' but He will give us

that living water which quenches our spiritual

thirst. (See John 4: 5-42)

At that point our hearts will no longer be hardened.

We will 'bow down in worship,' and as our psalmist

says, we will greet our Lord with a song of praise.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1. Our psalmist encourages us not to harden our hearts if we hear God's voice. Do you find it difficult sometimes to carry out God's will in your life even if you believe He is speaking to you? Give an example.

2. The psalm reminds us that we are like sheep and the Lord is our shepherd. Are you willing to be just an ordinary sheep among His flock? If so, what does it mean to you to be shepherded by the Lord?

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Studying the Psalms

The Psalms are a powerful part of the Mass and are often overlooked in Catholic Bible studies. I believe the Psalms should be studied in relation to the Gospel and the other scripture readings of the Mass, and we should attempt to see how the Psalms tie in to the teaching of the day.

The Psalms, although written thousands of years ago and well before the time of Christ, are alive, and speak powerfully to each of us. These reflections that appear in these pages talk of how we apply the verses of the Psalms to our everyday life and how the Psalms can inspire us, convict us, teach us, and strengthen our faith.

About Barry Lamont

As an adult convert, Barry was baptized nearly 40 years ago in Boston, along with his wife and his two daughters.
His eyes were opened, and he recognized Jesus as the way to his salvation and as the way to ensure the spiritual well being
of his wife and his children. He is now a daily communicant.

Barry realizes there is a spiritual battle going on all around him, and he needs all the weapons that his faith provides.
Scripture says the sword of the spirit is the Word of God.
Barry believes the Word is a powerful instrument of God that
can purify and strengthen him, and guide him.

Following his retirement some ten years ago, Barry began to study the Sunday readings as a member of the Bread of Life Bible Study. He was inspired to celebrate the Psalms as a way of doing the Lord's work. Armed with the power of the Word, Barry believes he is better equipped to do the will of the Lord, who speaks to us through the verses of the Psalms. The Bible says, “It was I who chose you.” Barry now has a job from which he will not be retiring.