Psalm for Sunday, January 2, 2022

Reflections

Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13   (Read)

"Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."

This Psalm is a prayer for our newborn King. 

Our psalmist speaks of a Messiah 

who will be like the “rain coming down 
upon the fields, like showers watering the earth.” 

Our psalmist prays that our newborn King 

will be anointed by God with divine judgment 

and empowered to rule the earth.

The prophet Isaiah in Sunday's first reading 
predicts that the light of the Lord 

will cause our hearts to overflow 

and the riches of the sea to be emptied out 
before us.  (Isaiah 60: 5)

Our psalmist also speaks of “abundance 

that will flourish in his days.” 

But the Messiah is among us 

to do more than bless us materially;

our Savior has come to make our burdens light, 

to share our afflictions.

We see the light, just as the prophet Isaiah 
said we would.

And in the Psalm's verses, the mystery 
is revealed to us, poor in spirit though 
we are:  “He rescues the poor when they 
cry out [as we do], the oppressed 
who have no one to help.”

This is what our Good Shepherd Jesus 
is sent to do, to shepherd God’s people. 

This is why we join the Magi in doing 
homage to our newborn King and join 
with our psalmist in singing,

"Blessed be the Lord; Blessed be His 
glorious name."

Amem


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist mentions 'afflicted ones' and 'the afflicted' in two of the Psalm's 
verses.  Are there times when you can identify yourself as an 'afflicted' one?   
Tell what remedies are available to you that are mentioned in the Psalm.

2.  The Psalm says, 'Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.'   Using the 
verses of the Psalm, explain why 'all kings' would want to pay homage to our Lord.

Psalm for Saturday, January 1, 2022

Reflections

Psalm 67:  2-3, 5, 6, 8  (Read)

“May God bless us 
and may he let his face shine upon us.”

So much that God does for us 
is contained in this verse from the Psalm.
God gives us his grace through his son Jesus,
who is our Savior. 
God gives us material blessings – 
all our treasure and gifts are from him. 
Moreover, he gives us spiritual blessings as well;
these are called by St Paul the fruits of the spirit. 

We all want God’s blessings, as the Psalm says.
Since the time of Moses, 
God’s chosen people have reached out for God’s blessing.
The petition in the Psalm 
is rooted in the early books of scripture;
today’s 1st reading  (Nm 6 : 22-27) says,
“The Lord let his face shine upon you 
and be gracious to you.”

St Paul (2nd reading) confirms that God 
sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, 
so we could cry out “Abba, Father.” 
The psalm predicts that God’s saving power shall be known 
among all the nations (including ourselves). 
God conveys that same message 
to the Mother of our Lord in this week’s Gospel.
The shepherds from distant lands hear the news 
that our Savior is born; 
they return glorifying and praising God. 
The Psalm also guides people like us to shout for joy,
“May the peoples praise you, God; 
may all the peoples praise you!”

The Psalm calls for 
the way of the Lord to become
known upon earth among all the nations.
Indeed the Psalm predicts that 
God’s saving power shall be known 
among all the peoples. 
Thankfully, that includes us.

Amen


 Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  The Psalm petitions God to 'let his face shine upon us.'
What does it mean to you, especially during this 
Octave of the Nativity, that God would let his face shine upon you?

2.  Our psalmist calls for God's salvation to be known 
among all the nations.   How would you relate this verse 
to the birth of our Savior?

Psalm for Sunday, December 26, 2021

Reflections

Psalm 128:  1-2, 3, 4-5  (Read)

“Blessed are those who fear 
the Lord and walk in His ways.”

Our psalmist tells us that a man 
who has a right relationship with 
the Lord will also obtain a right 
relationship with his wife and his 
family.  If we have a right 
relationship with the Lord, 
we will know how to treat our 
wives and our children, and 
in turn, we will discover how 
blessed we are in our home and 
by the presence of our family.  
“Just so will the man be 
blessed who fears the Lord.”

And if a man walks with the Lord, this 
will be reflected in the way he loves his 
wife.  Because if a man cherishes his 
wife, as ‘flesh of his flesh’ and ‘bone of 
his bones,’ he nourishes his relationship 
with her, as Christ nourishes the Church.  
And the man’s reward is that his wife will 
be like a ‘fruitful vine’ within his house.  
This is how a man is blessed who fears 
the Lord.

Having been so favored by God, we understand
why, 'A man shall leave his father and mother and 
cleave to his wife.'   God made them one flesh, and, 
'What God has joined, no human being may separate.'

If we fear the Lord and walk in His ways, we will receive
the blessings of our labor, prosper in a material way, and 
grow old gracefully in the company of our family.

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  The Psalm tells us how to gain God's favor so that our family life 
will be blessed.  What does it mean to you to fear the Lord and walk 
in His ways?

2.  We learn from our psalmist how to behave toward our wife and our 
children.  A right relationship with our family is obtained by having a right 
relationship with our Lord.  Explain how you are putting this teaching 
into practice.

Psalm for Sunday, December 19, 2021

Reflections

Psalm 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19   (Read) 

 "O Shepherd of Israel, hearken,
and come to save us."

This Psalm is a prayer to restore 
Israel, and by extension to restore us,
as a scattered people of God. 
The Psalm is well adapted to our 
prayer during Advent.  We are a people 
scattered and separated from God, and 
we await His coming; He alone can 
'make us turn to Him' and convert us.

 “Shepherd of Israel, lend an ear … come to save us.”

 
Our psalmist makes a direct appeal 
to God to shepherd us.  “Turn again 
Lord ... attend to this vine.”  Just as 
the Lord tends to His vineyard, He 
protects a shoot planted by His right 
hand.  The coming of Christ is intended 
to revive us, restore our strength.   
As the Psalm says, “Then we will not 
withdraw from you; revive us, and 
we will call on your name.”
 
Where does our hope for revival 
come from?  It comes from our Savior, 
sent by the Lord, our cornerstone.
In Him we are restored.   “Lord of 
hosts restore us; let your face shine 
upon us, that we may be saved.”
 
We all need to be renewed from 
time to time when our faith grows 
lukewarm, when our hearts harden 
due to the sins that separate us from 
God.   We, like the Israelites,  need 
to beg for God’s mercy, to petition 
the Lord and seek his peace, the peace 
that will guard our hearts and minds,
and restore us as His people.
 
Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection
 
1.  The Psalm says, 'Lord, make us turn to you ....'  
Have you noticed at times when we stray off His path
how the Lord tugs at each of us so that we return to His ways.  
Give an example from your own experience.
 
2.  Our psalmist is writing about the scattered people of Israel, 
but his words may apply to each of us in our separation from God. 
In what way are you inspired by the Psalm's verses to repent 
and seek renewal, especially during this season of Advent?

Psalm for Sunday, December 12, 2021

Reflections

Isaiah 12:  2-3, 4, 5-6   (Read)

“With joy you will draw water from 
the fountains of salvation.”

This is a Song of Thanksgiving, from the
prophet Isaiah, expressed in the language 
of the Psalms.  But the prophet is also 
speaking about salvation -- “God indeed 
is my salvation.”  Later Isaiah says, 
“With joy you will draw water from the 
fountains of salvation.”

These verses speak to us of our Savior and 
are in keeping with the theme of this Sunday's 
first reading, “The Lord your God is a mighty 
savior.”  (Zephaniah 3:17)

And having been promised salvation, we are to
“Rejoice in the Lord always,” as St Paul tells us 
in Sunday's second Reading. (Philippians 4:4)

And what effect does the promise of salvation
have on us?  We draw strength from our saving
relationship with God – Isaiah says it for us,
“I am confident and unafraid.”  (Remember, God’s 
perfect love drives out fear.)  Isaiah gives us further 
evidence, “My strength and my courage is the Lord.”

And where does the power come from that is the 
source of our courage?   It comes from our baptism,
first with water, then from our baptism in the Holy 
Spirit.  This is the good news that John preached
when he promised that the Christ would baptize us 
with the Holy Spirit. (Gospel, Luke 3:16)

And as Isaiah reminds us, during this season of Advent 
we are to sing praise to the Lord -- “Let the good news 
be known throughout all the earth!”  We are to “Shout 
with exultation, for great in our midst, is the Holy One 
of Israel!”

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our Response this Sunday is, 'Cry out with joy and gladness:
for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.'   Describe how
you prepare to receive Jesus inside your heart during this season
of Advent.

2.  Isaiah says, 'My strength and my courage is the Lord.'   Explain
what this verse means to you, especially at this time of the year.

Psalm for Sunday, December 5, 2021

Reflections

Psalm 126:  1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 

“The Lord has done great things for us.” 

The Psalm speaks about the joyous 
return of Israel from exile and captivity.
“The Lord has restored the fortunes of 
Zion.”  As we hear in our 1st reading from
the Book of Baruch, Jerusalem is to take 
off her robe of misery and to put on the 
splendor of God forever.  Truly, 
“The Lord has done great things for them.” 

But there is more -- as the Psalm says, 
“The Lord has done great things for us 
as well.  What could be more wonderful 
than what Christ does for us, in leading 
us out of our spiritual captivity in a sinful 
world, to a place of splendor where the 
Father dwells.  We are restored by the 
Lord’s grace, and our spiritual dryness 
is filled with the baptismal waters, like 
the dry stream beds of the Negeb.

But we must do our part – the sowing 
of tears is a time of repentance for us.
It is just as John the Baptist proclaims 
in the Gospel – we must be baptized in 
repentance, for the forgiveness of our sins.
And what is the sign of true repentance?
It is when one produces good fruit by 
what we sow.   As the Psalm says, 
“Those who go forth weeping, carrying 
sacks of seed, will return with cries of joy,
carrying their bundled sheaves.” 

Finally the Psalm reminds us that the 
truly great thing the Lord has done for us 
is to send His only begotten Son to be by 
our side.  Jesus’ presence is a guarantee 
of a spiritual harvest that leads to our 
own salvation.

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

  1.  Our psalmist reminds us, 'We are filled with joy,' because 
the Lord has done great things for us!   Tell of  how these verses 
speak to you during this Advent season of the arrival of our incarnate Lord.

2.  The Psalm says, 'Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.'
Describe how repentance has led to salvation in your spiritual life.

Psalm for Sunday, November 28, 2021

Reflections

Psalm 25:  4-5, 8-9, 10, 14   (Read)

“Good and upright is the Lord,
who shows sinners the way.” 

 







We are blessed to have a God who does not 
disregard us.  On the contrary, He is a caring, 
compassionate God, willing to humble himself 
to share in our humanity, so that we might 

share in his divinity.  Who else would have 
such regard for sinners, for believers who 
disobey him?

 
The Lord is talking to all of us in these verses; 
we are all sinners.  Jesus was criticized for 
consorting with sinners, but He replied that 
the sick (people like us) are the ones who 
need a physician.  We are all able to benefit 
from the healing power of Jesus.  As our 
psalmist says, the Lord is compassionate 
and loving.  All we have to do is to humble 
ourselves before Him and keep His 
covenant.

“Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach 
me your paths.”  We are told that if we follow 
the Lord's way, we will be able to turn away 
from sin and avoid death.  And how does 
the Lord show us the way?  By sending us
His son, who is the way, the truth, and the life!

We know that salvation is available to us 
through the coming of the Messiah.  Our 
psalmist, David, celebrates the coming of 
Christ when he says, “You are God my 
savior; for you I wait all the day long.”

Our Lord shows us sinners the way.
It is He who encourages us when our 
tongues confess – 
“The Lord guides the humble rightly, 
and teaches the humble His way.”

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our Psalm response this Sunday is, 'To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.'
As we begin the season of Advent, speak of how you are raised up 
spiritually by the coming arrival of our Lord.

2.  Our psalmist petitions the Lord to make known His ways and teach
us His paths.  Tell of how you have been shown direction by the Lord 
along the path of life.

Psalm for Sunday, November 21, 2021

Reflections

Psalm 93:  1, 1-2, 5  (Read)

“The Lord is king, robed in majesty."

The Psalm celebrates God’s Kingdom,
in which the Lord reigns with majesty,
“gird about with strength.”  God revealed
His  kingship when He created the world.
But it is during the end times that the
kingdom of God will be displayed in
all its glory.  This is in keeping with
our readings this week,  in preparation
for our celebration of the Solemnity of
Christ the King this Sunday.

The prophet Daniel in this Sunday's first
reading speaks of the coming of the Son
of Man during the end times. (Daniel 7:13-14)  
Sunday's second reading (Revelation 1:5-6) 
is more explicit and brings us into the picture. 
Christ’s blood frees us, and makes us into a
kingdom, where we become priests for God
the Father.

The kingdom is to be ruled under the Lord's
decrees, which are firmly established, as the Psalm
reminds us.  But as Jesus says in the Gospel,
His kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36)
His kingdom cannot be observed.  But surely
it is among us, and most certainly, in our hearts.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist proclaims, "The Lord is king, robed with majesty,
girded with might."  Yet our Lord Jesus did not seek a kingdom belonging
to this world.  Where do you find the kingdom of the Lord?   How do you
reach our mighty Lord?

2.  The Psalm says that the Lord's throne stands firm and is everlasting. 
In what way do you gain strength from this verse?

Psalm for Sunday, November 14, 2021

Reflections

Psalm 16:  5, 8, 9-10, 11   (Read)

"O Lord, you will show me the path to life.”

This psalm of David speaks to us
about a belief in an everlasting life
with God.  “Lord, my allotted
portion and my cup, you have made
my destiny secure.”

The psalmist takes refuge in the Lord --
“With the Lord at my right hand,
I shall never be shaken....  My body,
too, abides in confidence.”

The distress that the prophet Daniel 
speaks about in Sunday's first 
reading (Daniel 12:1) is overcome by 
the assurance in the Psalm that the 
Lord will not abandon his people (us). 
“For you will not abandon my soul 
to the netherworld, nor let your 
faithful servant see the pit.”

In addition, we can understand the last 
verses of the Psalm as a prophecy of the
glorious day when we will see God’s Son
seated at the right hand of the Father.
“You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.”

For us too these are encouraging words, 

with a promise that we can look forward 

to being lifted up and spending the rest 

of our days in the presence of the Lord.

The Lord promises, if we are his faithful
servants, that we will not have to see 
the pit.  He will not abandon us.  As David
says, this is enough to make our hearts 
glad and our souls rejoice.

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection
 
1.  Our psalmist says that he will not be shaken or disturbed
so long as the Lord is with him at his right hand.  Speak of how
the Lord enables you to be strong, so that your faith cannot be shaken.

2.  The Psalm says that the Lord will show us the path to life.
Explain why this verse gives you confidence that you, as a
believer, can look forward to an everlasting life with God.

Psalm for Sunday, November 7, 2021

Reflections
 
 Psalm 146:  7, 8-9, 9-10   (Read)

“The Lord gives food to the hungry, sets captives free.”

 











This Sunday's Psalm sings of the promises of the Lord.  
Just as Elijah promised the widow in this Sunday's first
reading that she would not go hungry (1 Kings 17:16),
so does the Psalm promise that the Lord will sustain
the widow and the fatherless.   

But the Lord’s promises go far beyond flour and oil.  
The Psalm contains encouraging words not only for
poor widows, but for each of us as well.
 
God's promises are fulfilled in the person of Jesus,
who carries out the promises of the Psalm – He sets us
captives free and gives sight to us so we can truly see.
And Jesus sustains us -- with real food and drink.
 
“The Lord raises up those who were bowed down.” 
We are all bowed down because of our brokenness
at one time or another.  And where do we turn to be
lifted up and made whole again?   We turn to the Lord. 
Who else has the grace and the mercy to heal us?

Have we not been under pressure from the evil one
to commit sin?  Have we not been held captive at
one time or another by our sins?  And do we not
experience a hunger for the Lord and for a deeper faith?

That same power that gives sight to the blind and
raises up those who are bowed down is available
to lift us up away from whatever imprisons us. 
All it takes is to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior,
and open our hearts to Him.

So we can pray this Psalm, not only in honor of the
heavenly Father, but also in honor of Christ, whom God
exalted.  And having done that, we can join with the
psalmist and sing, “The Lord shall reign forever;
our God, through all generations."

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist promises that the Lord will secure justice for the oppressed
and set captives free.   In what ways have you been imprisoned, and how
has the Lord set you free?

2.  The Psalm says the Lord gives food to the hungry.  Describe how the Lord
has given you real food and drink to satisfy your hunger for a closer relationship
with Him.

Psalm for Sunday, October 31, 2021

Reflections

Psalm 18:  2-3, 3-4, 47, 51   (Read)

“The Lord Lives!”

The Psalm is saying that the Lord 
is present to us, here and now, 
just as He was when He delivered 
David from his persecutors.

The really key revelation for us is 
that the Lord lives.  He lives among 
us; He is present in the Word; Jesus 
is in fact the Living Word; He is 
present on the inside of us through 
the Holy Spirit.  He is alive in the 
Eucharist; He humbled himself to 
share in our humanity, so that we 
might have a share in His divinity!

So Jesus is alive and well, standing 
by us as our “rock of refuge, our
shield, our saving horn.”  We join
with David in praising God and loving
Him with all our heart and all our mind,
as Jesus reminds us to do in this Sunday's
Gospel.  (Mark 12: 28-34)

How do we apply the Psalm's verses to 
our lives?  We turn to our Lord to equip
us for the battles that we fight against the
evil one.  Jesus becomes our fortress!

In this Psalm we hear David, crying out 
to the Lord, as one cries out to his savior.
“My God, my rock of refuge, my shield,
my saving horn, my stronghold.” David
has just emerged after being saved
by God from his enemies and the clutches
of King Saul.  David has been rescued by
that same God of compassion and mercy
that spoke to Moses in Sunday's first reading.
(Deuteronomy 6: 2-6)

David says, “You have shown kindness to 
your anointed.”  God promises to hear us
when we cry out to Him as our psalmist
does. 

David praises his savior in language that 
is familiar to us as his spiritual descendents:
“The Lord lives!  Blessed be my rock!
Exalted be God my savior!”

For David has been delivered from the 
forces of evil that surrounded him.
And that same deliverance is available to
us, so long as we surrender ourselves
to God and love God with all of our heart
and soul and strength.

Amen

 
Discussion Questions for Reflection
 
1.  Our psalmist exclaims, 'The Lord lives!'  Speak of how
the Lord is present to you and why you believe He is your rock,
your fortress, here and now.

2.  The Psalm makes it clear that David loves the Lord and
that the Lord is the source of his strength.  Describe your love
for the Lord and how you have been led to serve Him and
praise Him.

Psalm for Sunday, October 24, 2021

Reflections


Psalm 126: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6   (Read)

“Restore our fortunes, O Lord.”

This Sunday's Psalm celebrates the 
reversal of Israel’s fortune, and return
from exile, which could not have
occurred without God’s intervention.
The psalm's verses reflect praise for 
what the Lord has done.  “The Lord 
has done great things for them.”

The psalm is also a petition asking 
the Lord to look after the future of the
remaining Israelites.  And there is an
expectation that God will guide them 
in achieving prosperity.

“Restore again our fortunes, Lord, 
like the dry stream beds of the Negeb.”  
This calls to mind our first reading from 
Jeremiah, where God promises to lead 
the remnant of Israel to brooks of water,
on a level road, so that none shall
stumble.   (Jeremiah 31:9)   We too are 
looking for that water which restores 
and renews, cleanses us and purifies us, 
that living water which satisfies our
spiritual thirst.

The Psalm also reminds us the truly great thing 
the Lord has done for us is to send his only
begotten Son to be by our side.  Jesus’ presence 
in our lives is a guarantee of a spiritual harvest 
that will lead to our own salvation.  Just as 
Bartimaeus, the blind man in the Gospel, is saved
by his own faith, the Lord promises us a transition 
from a sinful existence to a world of joy.  (Mark 10:52)

The Psalm says it well, “Those who go forth weeping, 
carrying the seed to be sown, shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.”  And therein lies a lesson for us – 
to let go of our own baggage, and pick up the Lord’s
burden, because we know his yoke is easy.

Whatever type of spiritual exile may imprison us, Jesus 
shows us a way out.  God is in the business of deliverance.

As the prophet Jeremiah confirms, we go among the blind 
and the lame to the promised land. (Jeremiah 31:8) 
We carry our sacks with us and within those seeds that 
we sow is contained the promise of new life, the reversal 
of whatever misfortune may trouble us.  When the
harvest comes in, we can join with the psalmist and sing, 
"Our mouths are filled with laughter, our tongues sing for joy.”

Amen 
 

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  The Psalm alludes to a reversal of spiritual exile that may apply to people like us.  
Tell of how the Lord has brought you back from a time of being distant from Him.

2.  Our psalmist suggests that we carry the seeds of our own salvation even while 
we go forth weeping.  Speak of how your faith has saved you, when you looked 
to the Lord for healing.