Reflections
Psalm 63: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (Read)
“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”
This prayer of longing was written at a time
when David was in the desert, a place where
physical thirst was all around him, and the
earth was parched, lifeless and without water.
But David is writing also about a spiritual thirst
that overwhelms him and reminds him of the
emptiness of life without God.
David meditates on those happier moments
when he was close to the Lord, when his soul
was satisfied as with the riches of a banquet,
and when he took shelter in the shadow of the
wings of God.
We too go through times of spiritual deprivation
when we are away from God and indulge in
sinful practices that separate us from Him.
At those times, like a penitent sinner, we experience
our deepest longing for the love of the Lord, and
we seek out His loving embrace. As our psalmist
says, at times like that our soul clings fast to the Lord.
We bless Him, we glorify Him, we praise Him.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist seeks the Lord because his soul thirsts for Him.
Give an example of a time when you have hungered for God's
presence and blessing in your life.
2. The Psalm speaks of gazing toward the Lord in the sanctuary.
Tell of a time when you have gazed at the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament
Chapel of your parish and how you could see His power
and His glory.
Reflections
Psalm 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6, 8 (Read)
“Lord, do not forsake the work of your hands.”
Our psalmist David composed this prayer of a
grateful heart. “I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
with all my heart.”
David is grateful because his petitions are
answered by the Lord. “For you have heard the
words of my mouth.” The Lord's answers to
our psalmist's prayers have come at a critical time,
a time when David is seeking to build up his strength.
David speaks of a divine rescue -- “When I cried out,
you answered; you strengthened my spirit.” Perhaps
we’re all in need of a spiritual rescue of the type
David describes.
And it isn’t because of any of the psalmist’s virtues
that he obtains salvation. It is a result of God’s loving
fidelity. “Lord, your love is eternal.” Our God does not
forsake the work of His hands, though as St Paul says
in our 2nd reading, “Who has given the Lord anything
that he may be repaid?” (Rom 11:35)
Unworthy as we are, and though the Lord is exalted,
He watches over us in our lowly state. And thanks
be to God, His kindness endures forever.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist speaks of a divine rescue when he was in
great need of the Lord's Providence. Give an example of when
you have cried out to the Lord and He has answered your cry.
2. The Psalm's verses deal with an age old mystery--the Lord
is exalted, yet the lowly He sees. How do you reconcile the
apparent contradiction between God's heavenly dwelling and
His concern for us lowly humans?
Reflections
Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8 (Read)
“May God bless us, and may He let His face shine upon us.”
So much that God does for us is contained in the
above verse from this Sunday's Psalm:
God gives
us His grace through His son Jesus,
who is
our Savior.
God gives us material blessings –
all our treasure and gifts are from Him.
He gives us spiritual blessings –
we know these as fruits of the spirit.
No wonder the Gentiles (people like us)
were attracted to the faith when St Paul
and Barnabas were traveling through
the towns, visiting the early churches,
and ministering to the Gentiles. The apostles
were doing as Jesus did when He encountered
the Canaanite woman in the region of Tyre
and Sidon (Gospel, Mt 15:21-28).
Though she was not a member of the house
of Israel, Jesus recognized how great was
her faith, and the woman's daughter was
healed from that hour.
By ministering to the Gentiles the 'way' of
the Lord became known upon earth among
all the nations, as the Psalm says. Indeed
the Psalm predicts that God’s saving power
shall be known among all the peoples.
Thankfully, that includes us.
Today we join with the members of the early
church in praising God – “May the peoples praise
you, God; may all the peoples praise you.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm petitions God to 'Let His face shine upon us.'
In what way do you believe that God has let His face shine
upon you?
2. Our psalmist calls for God's salvation to be known
among all the nations. How are you evangelizing to those
who do not know His saving grace?
Reflections
Psalm 85: 9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 (Read)
“I will hear what God proclaims;
glory dwelling in our land.”
Our psalmist knows the importance of
listening carefully for the voice of the Lord.
For as Elijah discovers in our 1st reading,
God is not in the wind, nor the earthquake,
nor the fire. Rather, God appears to Elijah
as a tiny whispering sound. (1 Kings 19)
We too must listen attentively for the voice
of the Lord and be careful not to miss His
presence among us.
How do we seek Him out?
Where do we find the Lord?
We find Him when we read and study
his Word, his living Word,
as fresh now as it was thousands
of years ago. For His Word is
as penetrating as a two edged sword,
able to separate bone from marrow.
His Word convicts us,
pointing the way to salvation.
As our psalmist says,
“Near indeed is His salvation
for those who fear Him.”
Our psalmist prepares the way of the Lord --
“Truth shall spring out of the earth,”
(when the Messiah is born).
The goodness and blessings
that the psalmist speaks about
are fulfilled in Christ.
For our Savior is truly,
“Glory dwelling in our land.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist affirms that he will hear what God proclaims.
Tell of how you listen for the voice of the Lord and what He is
saying to you.
2. The Psalm proclaims that truth shall spring out of the earth
and there will be 'glory dwelling in our land.' Speak of how
our
Lord appears before you and how He is present to you.
