Reflections
“The Lord does wonders for his faithful one.”
This Sunday's Psalm is about trust in God.
Our psalmist, David, is filled with desire
for God's mercy, and invites us to pray,
for God's mercy, and invites us to pray,
“When I call, answer me;
O my just God, hear my prayer.”
David reminds us the Lord works wonders
for the faithful,
for the faithful,
“The Lord does wonders for his faithful one.”
Part of keeping our faith must surely be
keeping our Lord’s commandments,
as we are reminded to do in this Sunday's
second reading,
second reading,
“Whoever keeps his word, the love of God
is truly perfected in him.” (1 John 2:5)
What more could we ask for?
Is it necessary that the risen Jesus
show us his hands and feet,
or that we touch his flesh and bones
as in Sunday's Gospel? (Luke 24:39-40)
Our psalmist reminds us it is inside our hearts
where the Lord’s presence does the most good.
“You put gladness into my heart.”
If our hearts are made clean, and our sins
are forgiven by the Easter sacrifice and
Resurrection of God’s only Son,
are forgiven by the Easter sacrifice and
Resurrection of God’s only Son,
who or what can stand in our way?
What the Lord Jesus has done for us
will give rise to action on our part.
For just as the disciples were witnesses
of what came to pass more than 2000 years ago,
so too are we called to witness for the Lord.
We are called to keep his word,
and to open our minds, so that we too can
better understand the scriptures.
We ask the Lord, “Let your face shine on us.”
And then we must go about doing his work!
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our Psalm Response this week is, "Lord, let your face shine on us."
What does it mean to you the have the 'light of His countenance' shine
upon you?
2. Our psalmist repeatedly petitions the Lord to answer him and
to hear him. Have you also prayed as David did for the Lord to hear
your prayer? What has been the result?
There is much good to ponder in this Psalm. David knew what it was like to have enemies. David was also confident that God heard his prayers. He knew that his enemies would not be victorious. Instead, God would answer.
ReplyDeleteThe time between crying out to God, and feeling that God has answered is uneasy. It is easy to fear and fret. It is also easy to try to take matters into our own hands. Notice what David does here. After he prays, he reflects on what his response should be. Here is how I would list this response:
Remember God’s love and how much he loves you.
Do not sin.
Ponder the situation.
Be silent. (I love this one!)
Offer right sacrifices.
Put your trust in the Lord.
David then remembers the result of this approach. God has placed gladness in his heart. He also can lie down and sleep in peace (even though he has enemies who want to do away with him), because God makes him lie down in safety.
Perhaps David’s approach to the enemies in his life can help us as we deal with our own enemies!
O Lord, Shine down on me in Your goodness always, O Lord! Lighten my heart that I might ever be glad before You! May I glory in You more than the bounty of the earth.
I thank You that I can sleep peacefully because I know that You never sleep and You watch over me day and night.
Happiness is based on external circumstances. Joy is from within, regardless of one's situation in life. For example, amidst David's unrest, he knows the Lord has "filled my (his) heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound..." (v.8) Happy circumstances such as grain and new wine are unpredictable and changing. Inward joy is steady and is a gift from God, as long as we seek Him and take the step of TRUSTING Him.
ReplyDeleteThen, we will understand the wonder of the Lord's face shining light upon us. Even our physical countenance can change from angst to peace, when we walk with Him. On the surface, the wrinkles subside and the furrows decrease. It's better than botox -- it's the most effective, anti-aging, beauty treatment attainable in the universe. And on the heart level, we become stronger and more united with what Christ wants for us. We learn to pray and desire His will.