Reflections
Psalm 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (Read)
“I rejoiced when they said to me,
'Let us go up to the house of the Lord.”
This Sunday we revisit this Psalm that sings of a
spiritual journey to the house of the Lord, the holy
city of Jerusalem. In Sunday’s first reading the
prophet Isaiah also speaks about a journey to Zion,
to the house of God, and to God’s holy mountain.
(Isaiah 2: 2-3) We too are called to make that
same journey, that we may walk in His paths.
Our psalmist says, “Our feet are standing within
your gates, Jerusalem.”
But why are we called to make that journey?
Firstly, we stand with the Israelites who already
dream of gathering together at some future time.
But secondly, for us as Christians, the psalm is a
vision of the end times, when our spiritual
pilgrimage leads us from earth to heaven.
Our psalmist says we are called to give thanks
to the name of the Lord, but we note also there
are set up judgment seats at our destination.
For our journey ends where God resides, His
kingdom of heaven, and we must be prepared
to be in His presence.
St Paul, in Sunday’s second reading,
cautions us to throw off the works of darkness,
and to put on the armor of light, to conduct
ourselves properly as in the day, to put on the
Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 13: 12-14)
Jesus himself says in this Sunday's Gospel ,
“You must be prepared, for at an hour you do
not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
(Matthew 24:44)
Jerusalem in the Psalm symbolizes for us the
end of our journey, being present with the Lord.
This is what God has planned for His people --
When we arrive in God's holy city, the kingdom
of God will come to us in its fullness, and we will
live in peace. As the psalmist tells us, we will be
filled with a desire to say, "Peace be with you.”
I will pray for your good.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. As we begin a new season of Advent, the Psalm encourages us
to be prepared for the time when we will be in God's kingdom and
He will be present to us. Speak about what you are doing to prepare
yourself to be in God's holy city.
2. As we prepare to receive the Prince of Peace within our midst,
our psalmist asks us to pray for peace within the walls of the holy city
and within ourselves. What are you doing to ensure that you have peace
within you and how are you conveying your peace to others around you?
