Psalm 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29
This is an Easter psalm;
the psalmist speaks of our savior, our cornerstone.
It is Jesus, and though he appeared
weak and beaten on the cross,
he became victorious over death.
The psalmist speaks of that same irony.
“The stone rejected by the builders
has become the cornerstone.”
The Psalm tells us we are to “Take refuge in the Lord.”
Though mortals may disappoint us,
the Lord will not leave us discouraged.
Better to take refuge in the Lord
than to put one's trust in princes.
Little children know instinctively whom to trust --
they know where the love is coming from.
And we are the same;
as children of God (2nd reading), we put our trust in the Lord.
He is the Good Shepherd.
Where else would we turn?
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.”
It is none other than the Good Shepherd
who comes in the name of the Lord,
to care and protect us sheep (today's Gospel).
Our calling is only to listen for his voice
and to follow him.
Who else knows us as he does,
or is willing to lay down his life for us?
The psalm recalls for us
the paschal mystery of Christ,
who is crucified, resurrected,
and then exalted as the capstone of our faith.
God has shown his love for his people --
Jesus’ risen presence among us
is living proof of God’s enduring love.
Our psalmist confirm this, “God’s love endures forever.'
The Lord’s deliverance is cause for joy.
God’s love is empowering, as the psalm suggests,
This is how we pass from death to life.
We may not have been
one of those who saw Christ
after he rose from the dead,
but he is no less real to us.
There is no doubt that
God's divine intervention
was at work in Christ’s resurrection.
As the psalmist says, we know that,
“By the Lord has this been done,
it is wonderful in our eyes.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist reminds us more than once to trust God,
not mortals or princes. Even though you may not have seen
the Lord in person, do you have any difficulty trusting in one
you have not seen? Explain.
2. The Psalm says, 'Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.' This verse is used
in scripture to welcome Jesus. Discuss how you
have welcomed Jesus into your life.
God and Jesus love us. We don't see them, but we get a feeling telling us that they are real. The raising from the dead was one, true final act to show God's power.
ReplyDelete1. Every day we have politicians and world leaders, and bankers telling us one thing or another. These are people we've never met and we certainly don't personally know them. Yet, based on past experience, credentials, the opinions of other well known, respected people, we basically believe them.....but there's always just a little nagging doubt about that person, because we don't personally know them. Sometimes I wish I was "Doubting Thomas"........I'd like to have the luxury of the 100% assurance that he and the other apostles had. That was a God given gift!
ReplyDelete2. In our world travels, we occasionally get lost, need help etc., AND miraculously someone comes along and shows us the way........it's happened too often to just be a coincidence! We believe the person was Lord sent!
God and Jesus love us. We don't see them, but we get a feeling telling us that they are real. The raising of Jesus from the dead was one, true final act to show God's power.
ReplyDelete2. I have welcomed Jesus into my life by praying and looking for God. I sometimes have to listen in a quiet room and I may hear God speaking to me. I see one particular angel in my room that is majestic purple and the hair is gold. I am not afraid when I see this angel. I feel protected and happy. During and after the time I see this angel, I feel especially close to God and I feel that God is trying to tell me something. It's just that I don't know what. I might find out in church or in a quiet room where God is speaking to me.
ReplyDelete1. "Christians die with the most peace." Such is the quote of one physician very close to me. Is there a greater testimony to the real existence of an after-life? To the love that a very real Jesus extends to each of his wayward sheep? I find a similar testimony in the fairly recent passing of Steve Jobs. I do not know anything of his spiritual walk, but his last words were reportedly, "Wow, oh wow. Wow...". I imagine that he was seeing the proverbial tunnel with lights at the end. Or angels, perhaps. But, truth be told, none of us living on this side of The Cross really know what heaven is like. We have not seen it with our own eyes. (Of course, we read with great interest the accounts of those blessed with life-after-death moments.) With faith in Christ, we still believe heaven is real and that our salvation is secure. I believe the Lord is with us not only in such great moments as physical death, but also in the little details of our daily LIVING! I "see" Jesus in a pink flower bud popping up out of the spring snow. I "see" Jesus in the warm hug from a friend I had written off. I "see" Jesus in my children as they completely trust me to guide them. Yes -- I endure bouts of spiritual darkness, but deep in my heart of hearts, I know that Jesus is there. His arms are always open to this runaway child.
ReplyDelete2. I welcome Jesus into my life by claiming his promises... out loud... everyday. I have learned the value of the verbal quoting of Scripture. The enemy doesn't stand a chance when I use this sword of the Spirit against him. For example, when I feel my anger welling up about someone who has wronged me, I will say, "It is written... A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." Proverbs 12:16 (NIV) I will wage such spiritual warfare as often as needed. Some days, it is constant. Other days, I only need it in the morning or at night. I have the best weapon; in fact, we all do. Ephesians 6: 10-18 are best at describing this armor of God. I like verses 17-18 much, which say, "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests..." (NIV) To conclude, quoting Scripture and using the verses in my prayers, are ways I welcome Jesus on a daily basis.
1. "Christians die with the most peace." Such is the quote of one physician very close to me. Is there a greater testimony to the real existence of an after-life? To the love that a very real Jesus extends to each of his wayward sheep? I find a similar testimony in the fairly recent passing of Steve Jobs. I do not know anything of his spiritual walk, but his last words were reportedly, "Wow, oh wow. Wow...." I imagine that he was seeing the proverbial tunnel with lights at the end. Or angels, perhaps. But, truth be told, none of us living on this side of The Cross really know what heaven is like. We have not seen it with our own eyes. (Of course, we read with great interest the accounts of those blessed with life-after-death moments.) With faith in Christ, we still believe heaven is real and that our salvation is secure. I believe the Lord is with us not only in such great moments as physical death, but also in the little details of our daily LIVING! I "see" Jesus in a pink flower bud popping up out of the spring snow. I "see" Jesus in the warm hug from a friend I had written off. I "see" Jesus in my children as they completely trust me to guide them. Yes -- I endure bouts of spiritual darkness, but deep in my heart of hearts, I know that Jesus is there. His arms are always open to this runaway child.
ReplyDelete2. I welcome Jesus into my life by claiming his promises... out loud... everyday. I have learned the value of the verbal quoting of Scripture. The enemy doesn't stand a chance when I use this sword of the Spirit against him. For example, when I feel my anger welling up about someone who has wronged me, I will say, "It is written... A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." (Proverbs 12:16 (NIV) I will wage such spiritual warfare as often as needed. Some days, it is constant. Other days, I only need it in the morning or at night. I have the best weapon; in fact, we all do. Ephesians 6: 10-18 are best at describing this armor of God. I like verses 17-18 much, which say, "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...." (NIV) To conclude, quoting Scripture and using the verses in my prayers, are ways I welcome Jesus on a daily basis.
l. Yes, there were several times in my life I had some doubts about trusting in the Lord. It was not easy for me to believe in the one I have not seen, especially when my faith grew weak. But the Holy Spirit who dwells in me reminded me of who the Lord of Hosts is. Scripture says that faith comes from the hearing of the word of God. And so, if you hear the Word and study the scriptures and read the Bible on a daily basis, the Holy Spirit will enlighten your heart and give you insights and wisdom to know who your true God is. You will not only be touched by Him, but also experience his mighty presence. Your faith will continue to grow in God's Love. I think that Faith is a gift of God. From now on, I have no difficulty putting my trust in God, because I know he is with me, and also I know Jesus' risen presence is among us. He is my savior.
ReplyDelete2. Why would I welcome Jesus into my life? To tell the truth, I fear and dread the loss of heaven and the pain of hell. I want to be with God in Heaven for eternity after my death. I have heard the good news that I can be saved through Jesus who died for us, and out of his love for us he paid the penalty once for all. Jesus is our savior. I have decided to listen for his voice and to follow him as my Good Shepherd. And I have invited him into my life as my personal Savior.
When I lost the direction of my life some years ago, I was confused and unhappy in spite of my having material blessings and having had a good life at the time. My heart was empty. I was extremely miserable. I literally became ill.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know where to turn. I was a so-called Christian who was lost spiritually. Beyond my understanding, I was so depressed that I wished I were dead. At the time of my suffering, I invited Jesus into my heart. My spirit was renewed. He is real. I became alive again as a new creation. Ever since that time Jesus has been my personal Savior.