Reflections
Psalm 71: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17
“O my God, rescue me
from the hand of the wicked.”
This Psalm is known as a
prayer in the evening of life.
The psalmist looks back,
recalls how he has tried
to remain faithful to God,
his life’s companion.
“You are my hope, Lord;
my trust, God, from my youth.
On you I depend since birth;
From my mother’s womb
you are my strength.”
In the difficult moments of
old age, the psalmist begs God
to come to his aid, and resolves
to praise God with all his might.
“My mouth shall proclaim your
just deeds, day after day your acts
of deliverance.”
The Psalm reminds us of the words
of Jeremiah (1st reading), who says,
“Before I formed you in the womb
I dedicated you, a prophet
I appointed you.” Jeremiah draws
strength from the Lord; God makes him
a “fortified city, a pillar of iron.”
And in the Psalm the writer pleads
with God, “Be my rock and refuge;
my stronghold to give me safety;
for you are my rock and fortress.”
In Jeremiah’s struggle against kings
and priests, he obtains assurances that
the Lord is with him to deliver him.
The Psalmist seeks the same guarantee
from God – “In your justice rescue and
deliver me.”
Just as Jesus (in the Gospel) was able
to pass through the midst of the angry
crowd that threatened him that day
in Nazareth, so too does our psalmist
call upon the Lord to save him,
“My God, rescue me from the power
of the wicked, from the clutches of the
evil and violent.”
And for us too the source of our
ability to weather those spiritual trials
that we face in our own lives comes
from the Father. His works are mighty,
and His justice is available for the asking,
“I will speak of the mighty works of the Lord;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist says that from his mother's womb
God was his strength. Describe how you as a child
of God derive strength and hope from the Lord.
2. The psalmist cries out to God to rescue him
'from the hand of the wicked, from the clutches
of the evil and violent.' Speak of how you have been
delivered by the Lord from the clutches of the evil one.
How many times did I point at my brothers and sisters? I wonder. How many times was I critically abused by my own brothers and sisters! Because of that I closed my mind so that I would never be hurt again. I thought about my motives and attitudes for a while.
ReplyDeleteIn the past my negative thinking did not produce a positive life. I was afraid of being used by people around me. I built my own wall around me which made me isolated from people. I was happy in that way.
But I began to realize that Satan was trying to build a stronghold in my mind. I was listening to his lies -- "you don't have to love and forgive those who don't know how to return your favors and to pay you back for your kindness." But I know that God's Love does not work that way!
One day I was so furious about someone who is dear to me. All day long I stayed mad and restless. That lingering thought remained within me, which made me so miserable.
I could not help but to pray. I started to pray to the Holy Spirit in tongues. Through the Holy Spirit I had to build myself up and reconcile myself to God. I didn't know what I was praying about. But I was delivered by Jesus from the clutches of the evil spirit. Yes, indeed, God is my rock and refuge to give me safety.
It is very easy to find ourselves in the clutches of the evil one especially through our desires and greediness. In the world today, many feel as if they need to have the latest gadget or item they truly cannot afford, yet want. Many times we make wrong decisions because we as humans desire immediate gratification. We also are sometimes tempted to make bad choices without thinking of the consequences of our actions, then realize the mistake when it is too late. If we take the time everyday to pray and turn to God's words we stand a better chance of releasing those clutches and avoiding the temptations. It is only through our Lords grace that we can truly be saved and delivered from evil.
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy to find ourselves in the clutches of the evil one especially through our desires and greediness. In the world today, many feel as if they need to have the latest gadget or item they truly cannot afford, yet want. Many times we make wrong decisions because we as humans desire immediate gratification. We also are sometimes tempted to make bad choices without thinking of the consequences of our actions, then realize the mistake when it is too late. If we take the time everyday to pray and turn to God's words we stand a better chance of releasing those clutches and avoiding the temptations. It is only through our Lord's grace that we can truly be saved and delivered from evil.
ReplyDeleteFaced with a very difficult situation, especially one like flying at night in a rough storm where the situation is completely out of our control, and we know that we are definitely in God's hands...........we, like most people, start in earnest prayer, such as, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, help us," or "Dear Lord Jesus, come and squeeze us." Unfortunately, if we think we are in control, we tend to act that way, and we are less inclined to start praying to the Lord and try to work it out ourselves! NOT GOOD.
ReplyDeleteHaving spent a fair amount of time in Latin America, we should adopt the philosophy of the Latinos..........which generally is,......."si Dios quiede" or "if God wills it", when faced with even a relatively small problem. KEEP GOD IN THE LOOP!