Reflections
Psalm 90: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 (Read)
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we
may gain wisdom of heart."
The Psalm reminds us that man’s days are
numbered, and that we should use our time
wisely, making our days and our life count
for something. And how do we do that?
We do it by being open to the wisdom of God.
Just as Solomon preferred the gift of wisdom
over material wealth (Wisdom 7:7-9), so too
do we see the advantage of using our time
wisely by doing the Lord's will.
Although we may never receive the wisdom
of Solomon that this Sunday's first reading
talks about, we can hope for some ability to be
detached from worldly things, which can separate
us from God.
How do we do this? Where does the ability come from,
to cut through all our present day concerns?
It comes from the Word – “The Word of God is sharper
than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between
soul and spirit, joints and marrow." (Hebrews 4:12)
Scripture teaches us that the Word will give us a
correct view of life, and this will allow us to have
a right relationship with the Lord. Having got that right,
we may receive the favor of the Lord and be counted
among his sheep. As the Psalm says, “May the favor
of the Lord our God be ours.”
How much better will our lives be if we may sing for joy,
as the psalmist says, and be filled at daybreak
with the love of the Lord. And having received God’s
favor, we will want to be His servants and do His work.
We will become laborers in the field where the
harvest is plentiful. And as the Psalm says,
“The work of our hands will prosper.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm speaks about using our time wisely. Tell of how you set
your priorities so that you are serving God and doing His will.
2. Our psalmist talks of how we may gain 'wisdom of heart.' Give an example
of how you are receiving wisdom to discern a correct view of life so that you
will not offend the Lord.
Popular Catholic theologian Scott Hahn describes the role of prophets as those who "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." Jesus' words in the Gospel are prophetic for the young, rich man who cannot seem to detach from his material wealth.
ReplyDeleteDoes this man eventually learn to give up his wealthy standing? Even the disciples are astonished when Jesus says, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:25). It sounds very hard indeed for anyone blessed with worldly comforts to find salvation. The verses that follow, though, are powerful and comforting... for in Mark 10:27, Jesus says, "...With men it is impossible but not with God; for all things are possible with God." The disciples, the wealthy man who walks away sorrowfully, and any of us today can cling to a hope that we can choose the right priorities with God's help.
The second reading from Hebrews cuts sin away swiftly, with the weapon that is the Word of God. What other weapons are in our arsenal? As Catholics, we have so many -- the Sacraments such as Reconciliation and Eucharist, the rosary, and prayerful practices such as the Ignatius Daily Examen. This last example, the Examen, is one that I would like to incorporate more fully into my life, so as to reset priorities. Put simply, at day's end, if I could:
Recall that I am in God's presence
Give thanks for God's many gifts
Ask for the Spirit's help to see myself as God does
Reflect on the day's events or recent events in my life
Pray words of reconciliation, resolve, and praise
.... then, I would be greatly helped in living my limited days with right priorities and "a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)