Reflections
“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 walk away from God and indulge in
sinful
practices that separate us from God.
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.
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
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.
We are believers! Life without God, would be like living in the desert without water, vegetation, and without people. Life would be very bleak from sunrise to sunset. We have much to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteThere were many times I felt the emptiness of life without God. My spiritual life was lifeless, like being without water. I cried out to God like the psalmist David did.
ReplyDeleteI often think of those happier days when I had a close relationship with God, because I know my soul can only be satisfied fully by his presence, protection and forgiveness. I also know that only God can satisfy my deepest longings.
Whenever I felt miserable, without peace of mind, I poured out my heart to Him. I repented, asking the Holy Spirit to show me which areas of my life I opened to the devil.
I was searching for answers through the scriptures. His Word was a guiding light. Sometimes I intensely looked at the Lord in the Blessed Chapel. Sometimes I have confessed my sins sincerely wishing to experience His power and glory. All of sudden my longing and thirst for the Lord were satisfied with His loving presence, because my sin was forgiven. He sets me free.
I have realized God's right hand will uphold me whenever I cling to Him. And also my longing desire for the Lord turned into quiet times of reflection and worship. I praise Him. I bless him.