Reflections
“What
is man that you are mindful
of him? 
Yet
you have made him
Yet
you have made him
little less than a god.”
Why
did our Creator give us life?
Why
are we given rule over God's
works, and
why did He put all things
under our feet? These
age old
questions are raised again by
our
psalmist, David, who is awed that
God has
made us so much like
heavenly beings.
It
is clear that we are made in the
image of God, and
we are His children.
As the voice of Wisdom tells us, in
Sunday's first reading, God takes delight
in his children. (Proverbs
8:31)
And
St Paul, in the second reading,
reminds
us that the Love of God has
been poured out
into our hearts through
the Holy
Spirit
that has been
given to us.
(Romans 5:5)
God
dwells within us that we might have
a share in His
divinity.
This
Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the
Holy
Trinity. Having
been baptized in the Spirit,
we are able to
experience the divine Trinity within
us. It is said that
we shall feel a resemblance to
God in our souls. 'It
is in the most secret recesses
of the soul that God is
known, in which he acts and
exists. God is one with us; we
can no more separate
ourselves from God than from
our own selves.'
(Father John
Tauler)
The
Catechism teaches that God has destined us
to
share in the exchange of love among the Father,
Son,
and Holy Spirit. 'Man's living area is broadened
and raised up to the supernatural level of
divine life.'
(Blessed
John Paul II)
'The
Father has sent the Spirit into our hearts so
that
we cry 'Abba, Father.' God is
nearer to us than we are
to ourselves through the
divine indwelling.' (Magnificat).
Believing
this is so, then
we should be devoted to
bearing fruit and lifting
up our brothers
and sisters,
fulfilling the gifts
of the Spirit
that have
been given to us.
If
we do that, God will truly
be pleased, and what
better
way is there to praise Him than by doing
His work.
As
our psalmist says, “O
Lord, our God, how wonderful
your
name in all the earth!”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our Psalmist
says that we are made 'little less than the angels,
and crowned with glory and
honor.' As a child of God, speak of how
you
are doing the work of the Lord and how you know He
takes pleasure
in what you do.
2. The Psalm tells us that the Lord has given us humans dominion over
2. The Psalm tells us that the Lord has given us humans dominion over
all the beasts of the field ... and
whatever swims the paths of the seas.'
We know also that
the earth was designed to be
lived in. What are you
doing to be a good steward over the 'works
of His hands?'
This psalm explores the theme of God’s majestic splendor and our puny insignificance by way of comparison. And yet at the same time, God has created us in His image and graciously crowned us with glory and majesty. He has assigned us the role of ruling over His creation. All of these thoughts should lead us, as the psalm both begins and ends, to declare in worship, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!”
ReplyDeleteHow can we apply this psalm in our daily life?
1. We should bow in awe before our majestic Creator!
2. We should treat each person with value and respect as beings created in God’s image.
3. We should raise our children to love, fear, and serve God as the only way to make life count.
4. We should take pleasure in whatever work God gives us to do, doing it heartily as unto Him.
5. We should enjoy God through His creation.
The concept of "Imago Dei" means that humans are created in the image of God. I think it's important to note that "image" doesn't mean identical. It means similar... bearing a likeness to... or being representative of something. We are close to God and can be like Him. We can also be unlike Him.
ReplyDeleteFather John Tauler is quoted as saying, "We can no more separate ourselves from God than from our own selves." What a comforting thought ... that even when I sin... God is not just with me, but inside me. The Magnificat says the same, "God is nearer to us than we are to ourselves through the divine indwelling." I can agree wholeheartedly when I am in a season of strong prayer, successful outcomes, and am full of God-confidence. In such times, I am like God. My heart feels generous and I can more closely love as He does.
However, I must confess that many times I am unlike God. I feel the struggle of temptation, sin, and discouragement overwhelm me. While I still have the Creator's image stamped upon my soul, I can still experience real valleys of darkness. Does God dwell in me less during these times? Is His image in me diminished? I should think not.
Perhaps worldly worries and concerns cause murkiness in my soul. It can become harder to see Him, when He is clearly there, as always. I believe praise and prayer are the way out of such difficult, cloudy times and into clear conditions. Hopefully, He takes pleasure when I find Him again and embrace the divine likeness.
God has set his glory above the heavens. It is a mystery for humans to understand that God is one in three: the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This Sunday we will be celebrating the Holy Trinity. Because of God's love and grace for humans, I am able to experience the divine Trinity within me. Since He sent us the Holy Spirit -- Jesus' soul, I have been baptized in the Spirit. He makes a dwelling place in me. And so I can live in his divinity. What more do I need to know about one God in three persons?
ReplyDeleteAs a child of God, a likeness of Him, I thought about what I am supposed to do to be a good steward over the works of his hands. In order to fulfill the law of Christ I need to live in unity with other Christians. To bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit is very important for Christian life. We have to carry each other's burdens with love and live in harmony and serve others in Christ's name joyfully.
First of all I choose each day to put Christ first in my life. Led by the Holy Spirit, I have to surrender to
His will and make God pleased with my stewardship: Loving others who are unlovable and sharing with others in need. I will use my resources wisely because God holds me accountable for my stewardship. In this Psalm God assures me of the worth of mankind and so He considers me highly valuable. Thanks be to God, one in three Trinity.
IT TAKES A LOT of FAITH TO UNDERSTAND THE 3 PERSONS IN ONE GOD. BUT THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES. IT CAN’T BE COMPARED TO “THERE ARE 3 PERSONS IN THIS 1 HUMAN FAMILY.”
ReplyDeleteYOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH TO ACCEPT THE CATHOLIC PACKAGE. IT’S NOT A SMORGASBORD WHERE YOU ACCEPT SOME ARTICLES AND YOU CAN REJECT OTHERS.