ReflectionsThis Psalm is one Abraham might have recited when he was called on to sacrifice his son Isaac.
“I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving …
I will pay my vows to the Lord.”
Who else could have kept the faith at a time like that? Yet Abraham’s devotion to the Lord did not waver.
We may not be called upon to offer up so heavy a sacrifice,
but we are commanded to listen to God’s son, and to imitate him.
Abraham may have used words like those of our psalmist,
“I believed even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.”
God relented and provided a substitute for Isaac,
“Too costly in the eyes of the Lord is the death of the faithful.”
But as for his own Son, God did not spare him,
as St. Paul reminds us in our 2nd reading.
And for whom did God sacrifice his son Jesus?
It was for us that God handed over his beloved Son.
Jesus’ death on the cross has given us life –
As people of faith we are chosen by God for life.
We pray that we are not led to the test as Abraham was,
but we might at least, as the Psalm says,
“Pay our vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”
The psalmist says,
“O Lord, I am your servant … you have loosed my bonds.”
We too are made free by becoming the Lord's servant.
That is how it is when we follow his commandments
and do his will.
It is not something that binds us.
Rather, it is something that sets us free.
We take delight in serving the Lord.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist speaks of the power of his faith, even in the darkest of times,
"I believed, even when I said, 'I am greatly
afflicted.'" Give an example of
how your faith has
strengthened you in difficult times.
2. The Psalm says, 'O Lord, I am your servant ... you have loosed my bonds.'
2. The Psalm says, 'O Lord, I am your servant ... you have loosed my bonds.'
Explain how it is that, having been freed
from your chains, you wish to serve
the Lord and become yoked to
Him.
Give an example of how your faith has strengthened you in difficult times.
ReplyDeleteTwo years ago my company was bought out and the new management within a year let all our accounting department go. I have been blessed to have found work during this period and in between jobs I have been able to help serve the Lord's poor at an interfaith homeless shelter.
For me, God's asking Isaac to sacrifice his son, is so difficult, I just can't even imagine it.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have raised a family, and especially when you are retired, in many ways, it's like God has loosened your chains, and you are free, and encouraged to try something else in the service of the Lord. For me, it has been working with not-for-profits, in both Latin America, and for Interfaith Community Services right here in Escondido. I feel blessed.
For all of us, it's different....we could prepare to be a deacon, support our parish with our time and talent, or write an interactive blog. May God Bless us all.
Two years ago my company was bought out and the new management within a year let all our accounting department go. I have been blessed to have found work during this period and in between jobs I have been able to help serve the Lord's poor at an interfaith homeless shelter.
ReplyDeleteThe last few months have been so extreme in how i have been tested. My faith has never wavered but my obedience has. When the Lord asks me to walk a mile I've only been able to reach the half mile point. Even that is with a lot of grumbling. I'm so very tired. I don't know about the quality of faith or the degrees of which I have but I do know that without it I would not be here today. The Lord is always strengthening me even when I grumble, he tells me to relax and He will do the work if I let Him. Listening then obeying are definitely the key too a peaceful result. I can listen and not obey but I can't be at peace. I must do both.
ReplyDeleteWhen I obey I feel freedom from sin and my bonds to it are weak. This allows me to feel my Christ and hold on to Him while He carries me through the muck I have created. I must hold on tight until I can again just be yoked to Him.
Peace be to us all.
The last few months have been so extreme in how I have been tested. My faith has never wavered, but my obedience has. When the Lord asks me to walk a mile, I've only been able to reach the half mile point. Even that is with a lot of grumbling. I'm so very tired. I don't know about the quality of faith or the degrees of which I have, but I do know that without it I would not be here today. The Lord is always strengthening me even when I grumble, he tells me to relax and He will do the work if I let Him. Listening then obeying are definitely the key to a peaceful result. I can listen and not obey, but I can't be at peace. I must do both.
ReplyDeleteWhen I obey, I feel freedom from sin and my bonds to it are weak. This allows me to feel my Christ and hold on to Him while He carries me through the muck I have created. I must hold on tight until I can again just be yoked to Him.
Peace be to us all.