“Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.”
The Psalm says that the Lord “rebuilds Jerusalem”
and “heals the brokenhearted, binds up our wounds.”
There is comfort in these words for all of us. The Psalm
points to the healing power of Jesus, our Lord and Savior,
which is depicted in this week’s Gospel. (Mark 1:29-39)
We too can be rebuilt from the inside out by the promise
of our Lord's salvation. It is surely by the grace of God
that we are made well. It is God's grace that drives the
demons out of us; there is no room in our hearts for both
the Holy Spirit and the demons. And we obtain God's grace
from the sacraments, which empower us to be well physically,
emotionally, and spiritually.
There is even hope for someone beaten down like Job,
whom we hear about in Sunday's 1st reading. (Job 7:1-4, 6-7)
Like Job we may be poor in spirit, but it is at our moment
of greatest weakness that the Lord will call us by name –
“He numbers all the stars, calls each of them by name.”
Having put our trust in the Lord, He will sustain us,
“The Lord sustains the lowly.” Once we realize that the Lord
takes care of the lowly (for we are His sheep), we can not help
but praise God, preach the Gospel, and boast in our faith as
does St Paul. (1 Corinthians 9:16-18, 23)
Our Psalmist says it well – “How good to sing praise to God;
how pleasant to give fitting praise.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our Psalm response this Sunday is, 'Praise the Lord, who heals
the brokenhearted.' Explain how the verses of the Psalm give you hope
that the Lord will 'bind up your wounds.'
2. Our psalmist says that the Lord 'calls each of the stars by name.'
Does this verse give you comfort that our Creator also knows your name
and seeks you out despite the infinite size of the universe? What does this
verse mean to you?
It has become a cliche to say that 2020 was a horrible year. In general, I agree with the sentiment, especially as the pandemic is still with us. However, I like to be reminded that it's in our greatest weaknesses and dark places that God shines strongest and brightest.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is easier for many of us to feel downtrodden and desperate over health crises, job uncertainties, or future gloom.
But God, the Great "I Am" is there -- He is outside of time, the same as in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Nothing is outside his reach or impossible for him. As verse 3 says, "He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds."
Is COVID a surprise to him? Surely not! Does his merciful heart hover near those who feel grief or fear? Surely it does! Extending beyond viral illness to every kind of plight, God meets us where we are -- and works to heal our hearts, just as soon as we invite him in. He is a polite visitor, never forcing his way... we need to be the kind of hosts who welcome with open arms, those who knock at our door
Victorious and joyful living, despite our circumstances, comes from completely opening up to and surrendering to God. In this way, he can do his healing and empowering work in us. A hope-filled truth, indeed!