Psalm for Sunday, June 16, 2019

Reflections

Psalm 8:  4-5, 6-7, 8-9   (Read)

“What is man that you are mindful 

of him?  Yet you have made him 

little less than a god.” 

Why did our Creator give us life? 

Why are we given rule over God's 

works, and why did He put all things 

under our feet?  These age old 

questions are raised again by our 

psalmist, David, who is awed that 

God has made us so much like 

heavenly beings.

It is clear that we are made in the 

image of God, and we are His children. 

As the voice of Wisdom tells us, in 

Sunday's first reading, God takes delight 

in his children.  (Proverbs 8:31)

And St Paul, in the second reading,

reminds us that the Love of God has 

been poured out into our hearts through 

the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

(Romans 5:5) 

God dwells within us that we might have 

a share in His divinity. 

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the 

Holy Trinity.  Having been baptized in the Spirit, 

we are able to experience the divine Trinity within 

us.  It is said that we shall feel a resemblance to 

God in our souls.  'It is in the most secret recesses 

of the soul that God is known, in which he acts and 

exists. God is one with us; we can no more separate 

ourselves from God than from our own selves.' 

(Father John Tauler)

The Catechism teaches that God has destined us 

to share in the exchange of love among the Father, 

Son, and Holy Spirit.  'Man's living area is broadened 

and raised up to the supernatural level of divine life.' 

(St John Paul II)

'The Father has sent the Spirit into our hearts so that 

we cry 'Abba, Father.'  God is nearer to us than we are 

to ourselves through the divine indwelling.' (Magnificat).

Believing this is so, then we should be devoted to 

bearing fruit and lifting up our brothers and sisters, 

fulfilling the gifts of the Spirit that have been given to us. 

If we do that, God will truly be pleased, and what better 

way is there to praise Him than by doing His work. 

As our psalmist says, “O Lord, our God, how wonderful 

your name in all the earth!” 

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection  
 

1.  Our Psalmist says that we are made 'little less than the angels,

and crowned with glory and honor.'   As a child of God, speak of how 

you are doing the work of the Lord and how you know He takes pleasure 

in what you do.

2.  The Psalm tells us that the Lord has given us humans dominion over 

'all the beasts of the field ... and whatever swims the paths of the seas.'  

We know also that the earth was designed to be lived in.   What are you 

doing to be a good steward over the 'works of His hands?'