Psalm 19: 8, 10, 12-13, 14
“The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.”
This Psalm celebrates the Law
of the Lord, first given to Moses
on Mt. Sinai. But it also tells us
what God’s Law reveals about
our Creator, and about the joy
that is stirred up in our hearts
when we follow the Lord’s commands.
If we are to imitate the divine life,
everything we need to know is found
in God’s Law. Our psalmist David
shows us that the Law of Moses is an
instruction manual for life. We learn
that obeying the Law does not prevent
us from being happy or limit us in
a negative way. Instead, obeying the
Law brings much reward.
We are kept from willful sins
by the Law. Obey the Law and
we will not be controlled by sin
and instead will be able to walk
as God fearing people. We may think
of statutes as something intended to
control us or restrict us. But as our
psalmist explains, the Law of the Lord
does the opposite – it is in fact a source
of joy, something to be desired,
because the Law gives us wisdom and
provides us with something we can trust.
“His ordinances are true, all of them just.”
Far more than a set of rules that we
cannot hope to follow, God’s commandments
refresh our souls; they give ‘wisdom to
the simple;’ they are more 'desirable than
gold, sweeter also than honey.'
It is through the inspired Word of God
that we know His commandments
and through this Psalm that we know
His Law is a source of refreshment,
a source of joy; His statutes do not
bind us, they set us free.
The reading of the Law should not
make us sad, but be a source of rejoicing.
Give us ears to hear!
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our Psalm Response this Sunday is "The precepts of the Lord
give joy to the heart." Do you believe that the Lord's commandments
can be a source of joy, instead of a set of rules and restrictions? Explain.
2. Our psalmist says that the 'decree of the Lord gives wisdom to the simple.'
Describe how God's Law inspires you to celebrate God's perfection and helps
you to imitate the divine life.
1. Yes, I believe the Decalogue can be a strong source of joy. CCC: 2057 The Decalogue must first be understood in the context of the Exodus, God's great liberating event at the center of the Old Covenant. Whether formulated as negative commandments, prohibitions, or as positive precepts such as: "Honor your father and mother," the "ten words" point out the conditions of a life freed from the slavery of sin. The Decalogue is a path of life:
ReplyDeleteIt will be a joyous occasion when we face the Lord having kept His commandments and enter His Heavenly Kingdom. Love you Lord.
1. Yes, I believe the Decalogue can be a strong source of joy. CCC: 2057 The Decalogue must first be understood in the context of the Exodus, God's great liberating event at the center of the Old Covenant. Whether formulated as negative commandments, prohibitions, or as positive precepts such as: "Honor your father and mother," the "ten words" point out the conditions of a life freed from the slavery of sin. The Decalogue is a path of life:
ReplyDeleteIt will be a joyous occasion when we face the Lord having kept His commandments and enter His Heavenly Kingdom. Love you Lord.
God gave us His law so that we could live it. We should live our lives accordingly to what the law says. This would be what God wants of us. When we follow God's law and ways, we are being good people. God recognizes this, and He will reward us in heaven for following Him.
ReplyDeleteEven if the Law of the Lord is perfect, and even though the Precepts of the Lord are right, and though the Statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, I become fearful because of the sins I've committed. There are lots of "do's" and "don't's" in God's ten Commandments given to us by Moses. He has His own reasons for setting these rules for sinful human beings. He knows that none of us could keep them correctly. Many Christians like me are plagued by guilt for the sins we have committed, whether unknowingly or intentionally. Eventually we turn to God for His Mercy and forgiveness. And He makes us see how weak we are by falling into sins easily without His Mighty help, when we face trials, crisis and hardships. His Laws are guidelines, and lights for our path. He wants us to live a holy life because He
ReplyDeleteis holy and perfect. He warns us and rewards us and gives us His blessing and wisdom. His Commandments are actually good and beneficial for our soul. They help us to form an image of Him if we let Him do it. He wants us to serve Him first and honor Him. This leads us to a close relationship with God. And also we learn how to behave properly towards others with love. That's why the Psalmist thinks His Laws are a source of rejoicing, a source of refreshment and of joy.