Reflections
“Just so will they be blessed
who fear the Lord.”
The Psalm affirms that
blessings for we who
fear the Lord are to be
found in the recesses
of our homes, in the
ordinary joys of family.
blessings for we who
fear the Lord are to be
found in the recesses
of our homes, in the
ordinary joys of family.
The worthy wife is valued
in the Psalm as a fruitful
vine because she blesses
in the Psalm as a fruitful
vine because she blesses
her home and family with
the gift of her handiwork.
She uses wisely what is
the gift of her handiwork.
She uses wisely what is
given her as her way of
obeying the Lord
and holding Him in awe.
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.
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.
As the Psalm says, if we fear the Lord
and walk in His ways, we will receive
the blessings of our labor, prosper,
and grow old gracefully in the company
of our wife and children.
and walk in His ways, we will receive
the blessings of our labor, prosper,
and grow old gracefully in the company
of our wife and children.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm assures us that we will be favored by the Lord, if we walk in
His ways. Speak of how you have been blessed by obeying the Lord and
holding Him in awe.
2. Our psalmist tells of a worthy wife who uses wisely what she has been
given. Give an example of how you have used your God-given talent to serve
your family or your community.
1. The Psalm assures us that we will be favored by the Lord, if we walk in
His ways. Speak of how you have been blessed by obeying the Lord and
holding Him in awe.
2. Our psalmist tells of a worthy wife who uses wisely what she has been
given. Give an example of how you have used your God-given talent to serve
your family or your community.
This week, at least two of our readings celebrate womanhood. The first reading, from Proverbs 31, is the famous passage on the "ideal woman." Psalm 128 describes a productive wife, one who is like a "fruitful vine." (V.3)
ReplyDeleteThe concept of "bearing fruit" is a beautiful one that resonates with me. I aim to be flourishing in all seasons. Every new year, I come up with a theme word to focus on -- for 2023, I had selected "blossoming."
I am unsure where in my life I have truly "blossomed," but it's a goal I can keep in my heart even as the calendar tells me it's time for another new year. (I have yet no idea which word I will select for 2024 )
I suppose an obvious way to measure my fruitfulness is gazing upon my children and noticing their growth. I am delighted to see that my daughter is sturdier in her spirit, less fazed by the opinions of others. My son is more determined than ever to achieve his self-imposed career goals. In the spiritual sense, both are on their unique paths toward God, and I delight in knowing that their prayer lives are strengthening.
I know that they see me on calloused knees and tear-stained cheeks, in prayer over them. May my humble example always keep them firmly attached to the vine that is Jesus.