Reflections
“Good and upright is the Lord, who shows sinners the way.”
We are blessed to have a God
who does not disregard us.
who does not disregard us.
On the contrary, He is
a caring, compassionate God,
a caring, compassionate God,
willing to humble Himself
to share in our humanity,
so that we might share in
His divinity. Who else would
have such regard for sinners,
His divinity. Who else would
have such regard for sinners,
for believers who disobey Him?
The Lord is talking to all of us
here; we are all sinners.
Jesus was criticized for
consorting with sinners,
but He replied that
here; we are all sinners.
Jesus was criticized for
consorting with sinners,
but He replied that
the sick (people like us)
are the ones who need a
physician. We are all able
to benefit from the healing
power of Jesus.
physician. We are all able
to benefit from the healing
power of Jesus.
Our psalmist says, “Make known
to me your ways, Lord;
to me your ways, Lord;
teach me your paths.”
The prophet Ezekiel, in Sunday's
first reading, tells us that
if we follow the Lord's way,
The prophet Ezekiel, in Sunday's
first reading, tells us that
if we follow the Lord's way,
we will be able to turn away
from sin and avoid death.
from sin and avoid death.
(Ezekiel 18: 31)
The psalmist prays to God,
“Remember no more the sins
of my youth; remember me only
in light of your love.”
of my youth; remember me only
in light of your love.”
And in Sunday's Gospel,
Jesus tells us how a young
man became right with God
after having disobeyed Him.
(Matthew 21: 31)
Jesus tells us how a young
man became right with God
after having disobeyed Him.
(Matthew 21: 31)
And where does the power come from
to turn away from sin?
It comes from the Lord, “He shows
sinners the way.” It is He who
encourages us when our tongues confess,
sinners the way.” It is He who
encourages us when our tongues confess,
“The Lord guides the humble rightly,
and teaches the humble the way.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. As the Psalm says, our Lord shows us sinners the way; we pray that
He will teach us His paths. What leads you to follow the Lord's truth?
2. Our psalmist petitions God to remember not the psalmist's frailties or
the sins of his youth. How is the Lord's compassion shown in your life?
1. As the Psalm says, our Lord shows us sinners the way; we pray that
He will teach us His paths. What leads you to follow the Lord's truth?
2. Our psalmist petitions God to remember not the psalmist's frailties or
the sins of his youth. How is the Lord's compassion shown in your life?
How many times we have been in a difficult trial and we knew that we were in the trial because of our own sin? We knew that you should cry out to God for help, but we were afraid to do so because of our sin.
ReplyDeleteOr, maybe our problems were not due to deliberate sin, but rather because of immaturity or stupid decisions. Sometimes even though we have prayed for guidance and wisdom, we still have done something that resulted in a heap of trouble. What should we do at such times?
Psalm 25 teaches us to seek God in the hard times, no matter for what reason we are in those hard times. This psalm reminds me of James 1:5-6: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
The context of James’ counsel is the need for wisdom in the midst of various trials (James 1:2-3). James tells us by faith to seek God and His wisdom in our trials.
That’s what David tells us in Psalm 25: “No matter how difficult your trials or what their cause, seek the Lord for His wisdom and trust Him to work for His glory and your good.”
The psalmist recognizes who God is and who we are. The Lord is good and upright, holy, all powerful, all-wise, all-knowing and almighty. On the other hand we are sinful, weak, frail, needy. That’s why the psalmist asks the Lord to defend him in time of temptation.
ReplyDeleteThe psalmist asks God to show him His ways and guide him in His truth. His hope is in the Lord. He believes that the Lord, his Savior, forgives the sins
of his youth through His love and mercy. I too am encouraged to ask God to pardon the sins of my past. And I know that the power to turn away from sin comes from the Lord.
By reading God’ s Word and constantly learning from it, we will find and gain knowledge. That wisdom leads me to follow the Lord’s truth, and I am able to obey His law and to be submissive to His way. In this way I receive divine guidance for my life.
God knows I am frail, lonely, sinful and afflicted. If I cry out to Him to ask forgiveness of my sins, in His mercy and love He will forgive my sins. I obtain peace of mind. That is joy and power coming from God!