Reflections
Psalm 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (Read)
“With the Lord, there is mercy and fullness of redemption.”
The psalmist calls to the Lord from ‘out of the
depths’ of his sin that has brought
him near to
death. He asks the Lord, ‘Hear my cry for mercy.’
death. He asks the Lord, ‘Hear my cry for mercy.’
He
waits with longing for the Lord, knowing
that
God forgives, and redeems us, even when we
abandon Him. “My soul looks for the Lord more
than sentinels for daybreak.”
God forgives, and redeems us, even when we
abandon Him. “My soul looks for the Lord more
than sentinels for daybreak.”
There
is no way we can please God, so long
as
we remain in the flesh, as St Paul says in
Sunday’s
second reading.
(Romans 8:8).
But
God forgives
us, gives us 'life in the spirit'
and saves us from death (remember 'the wages
and saves us from death (remember 'the wages
of
sin is death.') What greater act of
forgiveness
could there be than the one
made
for us by the Son
of God? “But
with you
there is forgiveness, that you may be revered.”
there is forgiveness, that you may be revered.”
We
too await our redemption with hope,
knowing that even if we are dead in our sins,
knowing that even if we are dead in our sins,
the
Lord will revive us. We too cry out to the
Lord
for forgiveness, as our psalmist says,
“Lord, may your ears be attentive to my cry
for mercy.”
“Lord, may your ears be attentive to my cry
for mercy.”
Redemption
is a promise made to us, just as
the
Lord promised the Israelites that he would
open
their graves and put his Spirit within them,
so
they would live. (Sunday’s
first reading,
Ezekiel 37:12-14)
Ezekiel 37:12-14)
That
same Spirit raised Jesus from the dead,
and
St Paul tells us the Spirit of God will give
life
to our mortal bodies too. (Romans 8:11)
This
is that “full redemption”
the psalmist talks
about that is later made real to us in the Gospel
story of Lazarus. (John 11:1-45)
about that is later made real to us in the Gospel
story of Lazarus. (John 11:1-45)
And
so we too have come to believe and
revere our Lord, as happens in the Gospel
revere our Lord, as happens in the Gospel
among
the Jews in Bethany. Truly, 'Our God
is
an awesome God.'
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist sings about the promise of forgiveness that is available to us if we trust
in the Lord. Speak about how you will seek out God's mercy during this Lenten season.
2. The Psalm talks about 'plenteous redemption,' or the 'fullness of redemption.'
Tell what this means to you as you prepare for the coming of Easter.
With the lord, there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
ReplyDeleteOur psalmist reaffirms and assures us that the promise of forgiveness and redemption are available to us. How do we obtain them? The psalmist says our Lord does not record our sins. If our soul waits for the Lord, and we put our hope in Him, He will hear our cry for mercy and show his unfailing love for us. I personally am relieved to know that I have a forgiving father and also a God who redeems me.
When I pray and ask for forgiveness of my sins, I realize God is not holding anything against me. I feel my communication line with God has resumed again.
I know that I will seek his mercy during this Lenten season. and I will prepare joyfully with a pure, clean heart for the coming of Easter, when Jesus is raised from the dead.
He will raise me up. Alleluia Alleluia! There is mercy and fullness of redemption with the Lord.