Reflections
“I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.”
It is said that this wonderful prayer
was written at the end of King David’s
life. We are with David as he passes
from death to life on God’s holy
mountain.
Isaiah says the Lord will provide
a feast of rich food and choice wines
on His holy mountain. (Isaiah 25: 6)
Our psalmist tells us,
“The Lord prepares a table before me;
He anoints my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.”
Isaiah says that God wipes away our
tears. King David tells us,
“Even though I walk through the valley
of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are
with me.”
What greater companion
would we want as we face death?
St Paul agrees -- his strength comes
from the Lord, through Jesus, who
empowers him. (Philippians 4:13)
This is the same Lord who shepherds
us in the Psalm.
“He restores my soul.”
David sets the tone for what is to come --
Jesus becomes the good Shepherd,
leads us beside still waters,
guides us along the right path.
With the Good Shepherd as our guide,
if we walk with Him, we are sure to be
among the chosen ones, and we are
sure to be clothed in the right clothing
when we arrive on God’s holy mountain.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. King David, our psalmist, is confident that he will dwell in God's house for all
the days of his life. What draws you to God's heavenly mansions and what gives
you confidence that you will live there?
2. The Psalm's verses reassure us that we are God's sheep and our Lord is our
2. The Psalm's verses reassure us that we are God's sheep and our Lord is our
Good Shepherd. Are you one of His sheep, and in what way are you gaining repose
in His pastures?
Of all the psalms, the twenty-third is certainly the most familiar one.
ReplyDeleteSurely Goodness and Mercy Will Follow Me
This time when I read it again it was a reminder of how our own holy shadow is falling upon our children and students. As a Catholic virtue, goodness is recognizing how we are made in God’s image and then making choices to reflect our true identity. Perhaps the goodness that follows us is the trail we leave behind when we show kindness and mercy, when we forgive and reconcile, when we live up to our potential as beloved children of God.
Psalm 23 remains a Psalm of comfort, of God’s unfailing love to us and to those around us as God leads us in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.