Reflections
Psalm 24: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (Read)
“Who may go up the mountain of the Lord?
Who can stand in His holy place?”
The psalm is about a journey to a holy
place. It is a place where we will meet
the Lord. But we are asked, “Who can
ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who
may stand in His holy place?”
During Advent we become aware that
although we may not have to climb a holy
mountain to meet the Lord, we must prepare
to receive Him in our hearts. In fact the Psalm
is guiding us to prepare ourselves from within,
so that we are made ready to receive Him
when He comes.
This is what our Advent time is about --
preparing ourselves to receive the Lord.
Just as St Paul in our 2nd reading was made ready
to receive “The grace of apostleship,” we too are
called to open our hearts to the Lord.
(Romans 1: 1-7)
What must we do?
We must cleanse our hearts.
The verses of the Psalm say, “The clean of hand
and pure of heart who has not given his soul to
useless things … will receive blessings from the Lord.”
We are all unworthy to be in the Lord's presence,
but at least we can cleanse ourselves through Confession,
and bathe in the Word. That is how we show our love
for the Lord.
The Psalm calls for the coming of the king of glory,
just as the Gospel calls for the birth of Jesus. (Matthew 1: 18-24)
Who will enter His kingdom? Our psalmist tells us
that those who love the Lord and those who seek
God's face will receive their reward from God our Savior.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm Response asks us, "Let the Lord enter;
He is the king of glory." How do you prepare yourself
during Advent so that the king of glory can enter your heart?
2. Our psalmist speaks of a people that seeks the Lord,
that seeks the face of God. Describe what you are doing
to seek out the Lord in your family and in your community.
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