Celebrate the Psalms: Psalm for Sunday, July 17, 2016

Monday, July 11, 2016

Psalm for Sunday, July 17, 2016

Reflections

Psalm15: 2-3, 3-4, 5 (Read)

This Psalm of David begins with a familiar

question, “Who may dwell on your holy

mountain?”

Fortunately for us, David gives us answers

that serve as a lesson in how today's Christians

are to behave if we are to dwell in God's Kingdom.

David says, “He who does justice will live in the

presence of the Lord.” For us this can mean

whoever has a right relationship with the Lord

will inherit God's Kingdom. Whoever loves God

with all his heart and loves his neighbor as

himself is not far from the Kingdom of heaven,

as Jesus affirms to the scribe in Mark 12:34.

Jesus was born to bring us the Kingdom and

to personify the Kingdom of God to us humans.

If we follow what our psalmist prescribes, we will

find that we are able to live now in the Kingdom

of God, here on earth.

David describes what separates us from God

and His Kingdom. Our separation is caused by

the sinful things that we do and the harmful habits

that we acquire willfully. This separation can only

be healed by repenting and turning to our Savior,

Jesus Christ.

As our Lord said, the Kingdom of God is at hand

and can for us become a present reality, inside

of us and within our community. Just as David did,

we hunger for God's presence; we long for His

Kingdom. Fortunately for us, through the Eucharist

we are able to receive Jesus physically and spiritually

and to live in His Body as He lives in ours.

And having Jesus inside us and living within Him,

we are able to make the Kingdom present to our

family and our community. Our God intended for us

to have a share in His own divinity. All we have to do

is accept God's Son into our hearts and follow His

teachings. Then you and I will be not far from the

Kingdom. We will have Jesus in our midst, and

we will be able to dwell on God's holy mountain.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1. Our psalmist David asks us, "Who may dwell on God's holy mountain?"

Recalling the verses of the Psalm, speak of what you are doing to draw

closer to God.

2. The Psalm says that one who thinks the truth in his heart will live in the

presence of the Lord. Describe how you are making sure you have a pure

heart so as to gain favor with God.

1 comment:

Tim9:45 PM
Actually, I think “WE” are all going to get there, and that’s what we should believe!
Christ made it simple…… ”Love God with your whole heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Just do it, and don’t overthink it.
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Studying the Psalms

The Psalms are a powerful part of the Mass and are often overlooked in Catholic Bible studies. I believe the Psalms should be studied in relation to the Gospel and the other scripture readings of the Mass, and we should attempt to see how the Psalms tie in to the teaching of the day.

The Psalms, although written thousands of years ago and well before the time of Christ, are alive, and speak powerfully to each of us. These reflections that appear in these pages talk of how we apply the verses of the Psalms to our everyday life and how the Psalms can inspire us, convict us, teach us, and strengthen our faith.

About Barry Lamont

As an adult convert, Barry was baptized nearly 40 years ago in Boston, along with his wife and his two daughters.
His eyes were opened, and he recognized Jesus as the way to his salvation and as the way to ensure the spiritual well being
of his wife and his children. He is now a daily communicant.

Barry realizes there is a spiritual battle going on all around him, and he needs all the weapons that his faith provides.
Scripture says the sword of the spirit is the Word of God.
Barry believes the Word is a powerful instrument of God that
can purify and strengthen him, and guide him.

Following his retirement some ten years ago, Barry began to study the Sunday readings as a member of the Bread of Life Bible Study. He was inspired to celebrate the Psalms as a way of doing the Lord's work. Armed with the power of the Word, Barry believes he is better equipped to do the will of the Lord, who speaks to us through the verses of the Psalms. The Bible says, “It was I who chose you.” Barry now has a job from which he will not be retiring.