Celebrate the Psalms: Psalm for Sunday, July 21, 2019

Monday, July 15, 2019

Psalm for Sunday, July 21, 2019

Reflections

Psalm 15: 2-3, 3-4, 5 (Read)

This Psalm of David begins with
a familiar question,
“Who may dwell on your holy mountain?”

Fortunately for us, David gives us answers
that serve as a lesson in how today's Christians
are to behave if we are to dwell in God's Kingdom.

David says, “He who does justice will live in the
presence of the Lord.” For us this can mean
whoever has a right relationship with the Lord
will inherit God's Kingdom. Whoever loves God
with all his heart and loves his neighbor as himself
is not far from the Kingdom of heaven, as Jesus
affirms to the scribe in Mark 12:34.

Jesus was born to bring us the Kingdom and to personify
the Kingdom of God to us humans. If we follow what
our psalmist prescribes, we will find that we are able
to live now in the Kingdom of God, here on earth.

David describes what separates us from God and
His Kingdom. Our separation is caused by the
sinful things that we do and the harmful habits
that we acquire willfully. This separation can only
be healed through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus shows us that the Kingdom of God is
at hand and can for us become a present reality,
inside of us and within our community. Just as
David did, we hunger for God's presence; we long
for His Kingdom.

Fortunately for us, through the Eucharist we are able to
receive Jesus physically and spiritually and to live in
His Body as He lives in ours.   And having Jesus remain
in us as we remain in Him, we are able to make the
Kingdom present to our family and our community.

Our God intended for us to have a share in His own
divinity. All we have to do is accept God's Son into
our hearts and follow His teachings. Then you
and I will be not far from the Kingdom. We will have
Jesus in our midst, and we will be able
to dwell on God's holy mountain.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist David asks us once again, "Who may dwell on God's holy mountain?" Drawing from the verses of the Psalm, speak of what you are doing to draw closer to God.

2. The Psalm says that one who thinks the truth in his heart will live in the presence of the Lord. Describe how you are making sure you have a pure heart so as to gain favor with God.

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Studying the Psalms

The Psalms are a powerful part of the Mass and are often overlooked in Catholic Bible studies. I believe the Psalms should be studied in relation to the Gospel and the other scripture readings of the Mass, and we should attempt to see how the Psalms tie in to the teaching of the day.

The Psalms, although written thousands of years ago and well before the time of Christ, are alive, and speak powerfully to each of us. These reflections that appear in these pages talk of how we apply the verses of the Psalms to our everyday life and how the Psalms can inspire us, convict us, teach us, and strengthen our faith.

About Barry Lamont

As an adult convert, Barry was baptized nearly 40 years ago in Boston, along with his wife and his two daughters.
His eyes were opened, and he recognized Jesus as the way to his salvation and as the way to ensure the spiritual well being
of his wife and his children. He is now a daily communicant.

Barry realizes there is a spiritual battle going on all around him, and he needs all the weapons that his faith provides.
Scripture says the sword of the spirit is the Word of God.
Barry believes the Word is a powerful instrument of God that
can purify and strengthen him, and guide him.

Following his retirement some ten years ago, Barry began to study the Sunday readings as a member of the Bread of Life Bible Study. He was inspired to celebrate the Psalms as a way of doing the Lord's work. Armed with the power of the Word, Barry believes he is better equipped to do the will of the Lord, who speaks to us through the verses of the Psalms. The Bible says, “It was I who chose you.” Barry now has a job from which he will not be retiring.