Psalm for Sunday, May 6, 2012

Reflections         
                                
Psalm 22:   26-27, 28, 30, 31-32

These verses form the conclusion of
a psalm that begins with the songs
of the suffering righteous man
(the Messiah himself
during the time of his Passion).
The earlier verses include what
Christ said to the Father when
he was nailed to the cross,
“My God, my God,
why have you abandoned me?”

These final verses are more uplifting
and speak of the promise of salvation --
“The lowly shall eat their fill.”
(We who are poor in spirit are to live
life abundantly.)  and
“May your hearts live forever!”
(We can count on the Lord for salvation.)

And in these verses we are told that
the suffering of the righteous man
has brought about something good
in our human world.
“All the ends of the earth
will worship and turn to the Lord.”
“The generations to come …
will proclaim to a people yet unborn
the deliverance you have brought.”
Our hope returns in these final verses,
and we join with all the families of nations
in giving thanks to God,
who rules the world and dispenses justice.

Jesus says in today's Gospel,
“You can only bear fruit if you remain in me.”
And how do we remain in him?
The psalm says, “I will fulfill my vows
before those who fear the LORD.”
(We are to keep his commandments.)

Finally, our psalmist commits to the Lord                                           
that his descendants will serve Him,
“The generation to come will be told of the Lord.”
Here we are inspired by our 1st reading
where Barnabas reports that Saul
spoke out boldly in the name of Jesus.
What better way for us to bear fruit,
than to speak out boldly for our faith,
to our children and grandchildren.

“To him my soul shall live.”
The Psalm ends with a reversal of
the righteous man's condition;
life is restored and the whole world
celebrates his deliverance.
What better Easter message is there than that?
And what more inspiring words for the early
Church as it reaches out to proclaim
the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist says, "I will fulfill my vows
before those who fear the LORD."   Does this verse inspire
you to confirm your faith boldly and take up God's praise
in the company of your fellow believers?   Discuss.

2.  The Psalm ends with an uplifting call for us to proclaim
the Lord's truth to the next generation.   Describe how
you have answered the Lord's call and how you go about
telling others about God's love.