Reflections
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (Read)
“Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”
The Psalm is a prayer for our newborn King,
a Messiah who will be like the “rain coming
down upon the fields, like showers watering
the earth.” Our psalmist prays that our
newborn King will be anointed by God with
divine judgment and empowered to rule the earth.
The prophet Isaiah in Sunday's first reading
predicts that the light of the Lord will cause
our hearts to overflow, and the riches of the sea
to be emptied out before us. (Isaiah 60:5)
Our psalmist also speaks of abundance
that will flourish in the King's days.
But the Messiah is among us, to do more than
bless us materially; the Savior has come to make
our burdens easy, to share our afflictions.
“The lives of the poor He shall save.”
We see the light, just as the prophet Isaiah said
we would. (Isaiah 60:1)
In the Psalm, the mystery is revealed
to us, poor in spirit though we are:
“He rescues the poor when they cry out [as we do],
the afflicted who have no one to help.”
This is what our Good Shepherd Jesus is sent to do,
to shepherd God’s people. This is why we join the
Magi in paying homage to our newborn King, and
join with our psalmist in singing,
"Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist mentions 'afflicted ones' and 'the afflicted' in two
of the Psalm's verses. Are there times when you can identify yourself
as an 'afflicted' one? Tell what remedies are available to you that are
mentioned in the Psalm.
2. The Psalm says, 'Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.'
Using the verses of the Psalm, explain why 'all kings' would want
to pay homage to our Lord.
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