Monday, January 23, 2023

Psalm for Sunday, January 29, 2023

Reflections



"Blessed are the poor in spirit."

The Psalm is about trusting in God,
the one who made us. “Happy those 
whose hope is in the Lord, the maker 
of heaven and earth.”  Why do we 
trust in God and not princes of this 
world?  Because, “He keeps faith 
forever,” and, “He gives food to the 
hungry."  Who among us is not hungry
for a closer relationship with The Lord?

In Sunday's first reading, 
the prophet Zephaniah tells us,
"Seek the Lord all you humble of the 
the earth.”  (Zephaniah 2: 3)    
St Paul in our second reading assures 
us, God is not going to call the wise, 
the powerful, or those of noble birth.
Rather, he calls the lowly, the weak, 
to shame the strong. 
(1 Corinthians 1: 26-28)

The message is clear – The Psalm is 
telling us we really need to humble ourselves
if we want to be raised up with Him. 
That may be hard to do if it means we have 
to swallow our pride and put aside worldly 
concerns.  But it we truly want to be set free
from the sins that bind us, then we need to 
repent and bow down before the Lord and 
seek his grace.  Where else are the promises
of our God fulfilled but in the healing 
ministry of Jesus?  Who else has the grace 
and the mercy to heal us?

So we can pray this Psalm, not only in honor 
of the heavenly Father, but also in honor of 
Christ, whom God exalted. “The Lord shall 
reign forever, through all generations.”

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist says, "The Lord sets captives free."   In what ways are you captive,
and how has the Lord set you free?

2.  The Psalm proclaims, "The Lord gives sight to the blind."  In what areas of your
life were you not able to see things clearly, and give an example of how the Lord
has enabled you to regain your sight.

 


No comments:

Post a Comment