Reflections
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 (Read)“May He rule from sea to sea, and
from the River to the ends of the earth.”
Our psalmist (Solomon) speaks about a
perfect king – a king who judges like God,
governs His people with justice, His afflicted
with right judgment. The psalm's verses speak
of a king that is to live as long as the sun endures,
like the moon through all generations.
The more we read the Psalm, the more it tells us
about the Messiah to come – “May all kings bow
before him, all nations serve him.” He is to fulfill
all the hopes placed upon Him by the prophets.
And, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,”
as Isaiah says beautifully in this Sunday's 1st reading.
Only the expected Messiah can receive from God
the wisdom and judgment to govern the people with
justice. The Messiah brings great prosperity and
rules the promised land from sea to sea.
The Psalm's verses recall for us our Savior's
promises, to rescue us when we cry out and save us
when we are oppressed. He lifts us up when we are
poor in spirit.
We see the light -- the Messiah is revealed to us Christians
as Christ our King. “May His name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun His name shall remain.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. This Sunday's Psalm speaks of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is to be endowed by God as a just King. Describe how you will
make room for the Lord in your life so that He may govern how you conduct
yourself this Advent season.
2. Our psalmist writes about the profound peace that will flourish when the
Messiah arrives. Tell of how you will receive the Lord's peace during Advent
and how this will affect your life.
"May He rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth."
ReplyDeleteIn this psalm Solomon recalls for us our Savior's promises of a king who can rule the nation justly and rightly. And also He will govern his people with right judgement and wisdom. And so He will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the poor because we are precious in his sight. That’s why all the nations will be blessed through Him and the whole earth will be filled with his glory and with his peace.
Since I know Jesus comes as a prince of peace for all of us, I welcome Him as the Lord of my life. I anticipate He will return to reign forever; my heart fills with hope. His Kingdom extends to the end.
Talking about peace, lately I have been full of anxiety for no reason. I have to take medicine to control my nerves. I understand this may be due to a hormone imbalance. Sometimes I feel my anger surging, about to erupt like a volcano. I am ashamed to show the ugly side of my character to my husband, who is very understanding and patient with me, asking me to calm down.
During this Advent I will turn to Jesus, who will fulfill the real dreams of my human heart for peace and healing. I will cry out for real profound inner peace from Jesus, that peace the world cannot give me. Through Jesus I can be healed. My heart is filled with hope. I will prepare myself to receive His coming. I will go to Confession, repent of my sins, forgive those whom I hurt and those whom I have injured. I will establish new fellowship with my neighbors as well as my Lord. I will be more charitable and generous to those who are in need and I will have an understanding, loving heart towards individuals with hardships and handicaps because they are beautiful in your sight.
Praise be to his glorious name forever! I will enjoy perfect peace during this Advent season.