Reflections

Psalm 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (Read)

“With the Lord at my right hand, I shall never be shaken.”

In this psalm David expresses his joy and enthusiasm

for a life lived in the presence of God. For us too,

God is the source of our joy. So long as we choose

God and follow his Word, we too will be offered

that allotted cup of blessings that David refers to,

“Lord, my allotted portion and my cup,

you have made my destiny secure.”

St Peter cites the Psalm's verses in today’s 1^st reading,

and Peter affirms that David's verses speak of the

resurrection of Christ. (Acts 2: 25-28, 31)

A key reference for Peter is Verse 10 of the Psalm,

“You will not suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption,”

Death is destroyed; our faith in everlasting life with our

resurrected Lord is confirmed. As David says, “I set the

Lord ever before me; abounding joy in your presence,

the delights at your right hand forever.”

For us too these are encouraging words. The Lord promises,

if we are his faithful servants, that we will not have to see the pit;

He will not abandon us. As David says, this is enough to make

our hearts glad and our souls rejoice.

When the Lord is with us, do not our hearts burn within us,

as the two disciples declare on the road to Emmaus in today's

Gospel? (Luke 24:32)

Our burdens are made light; His yoke is easy, and that gladdens

the heart and strengthens the body. We raise a song of praise

to our risen Savior!

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1. The Psalm 's verses affirm that we who are His faithful ones will remain in the presence of our Lord forever. Speak of how you are encouraged by the Psalm's promises.

2. Our psalmist inspires us to set the Lord ever before us and if we do so, "My soul rejoices, my body too abides in confidence." How do you go about putting the Lord first in your life despite all the worldly distractions that surround us?

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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.