Reflections

Psalm 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23 (Read)

“The right hand of the Lord

has struck with power.”

Our Easter Psalm celebrates

a great victory over death.

The victory is won by the

Lord’s 'right hand,' a clear

advance notice of the power

of the Son of God.

“I shall not die, but live, and

declare the works of the Lord.”
These could have been Jesus'
own words, speaking about His
resurrection and His food, which
is to do the work of the Father.

Our risen Savior has defeated

death and the power that sin has
over us. And we live on in His
kingdom. Having become yoked
to Jesus, we willingly praise God
and follow His direction in our lives.

We may ask, “Having been saved, what are we
obliged to do? What is our commission?”
In today's first reading, St Luke tells us what we
are commissioned to do – we are to preach to

the people and testify that Jesus is the one
anointed by God. (Acts 10:42)

We are an Easter people; Christ has become our
cornerstone. As the psalmist says, “The stone the
builders rejected has become the corner stone.”
The mystery is that Christ has become a source of
strength for us, despite His apparent weakness that
day on the cross, when He died a shameful death.
Only the Lord could have done this remarkable
thing – “This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad.”

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1. Our psalmist affirms, "I shall declare the works of the Lord." Tell what

this verse means to you. How are you going about doing the work

of the Lord?

2. The Psalm declares, "The stone which the builders rejected has become

the cornerstone." Speak about how our Savior is like a rock in your life and

how you build your life around Jesus.

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Studying the Psalms

The Psalms are a powerful part of the Mass and are often overlooked in Catholic Bible studies. I believe the Psalms should be studied in relation to the Gospel and the other scripture readings of the Mass, and we should attempt to see how the Psalms tie in to the teaching of the day.

The Psalms, although written thousands of years ago and well before the time of Christ, are alive, and speak powerfully to each of us. These reflections that appear in these pages talk of how we apply the verses of the Psalms to our everyday life and how the Psalms can inspire us, convict us, teach us, and strengthen our faith.

About Barry Lamont

As an adult convert, Barry was baptized nearly 40 years ago in Boston, along with his wife and his two daughters.
His eyes were opened, and he recognized Jesus as the way to his salvation and as the way to ensure the spiritual well being
of his wife and his children. He is now a daily communicant.

Barry realizes there is a spiritual battle going on all around him, and he needs all the weapons that his faith provides.
Scripture says the sword of the spirit is the Word of God.
Barry believes the Word is a powerful instrument of God that
can purify and strengthen him, and guide him.

Following his retirement some ten years ago, Barry began to study the Sunday readings as a member of the Bread of Life Bible Study. He was inspired to celebrate the Psalms as a way of doing the Lord's work. Armed with the power of the Word, Barry believes he is better equipped to do the will of the Lord, who speaks to us through the verses of the Psalms. The Bible says, “It was I who chose you.” Barry now has a job from which he will not be retiring.