Psalm for Sunday, April 21, 2024

Reflections
 

Psalm 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29  (Read)

“The stone rejected by the builders 
has become the cornerstone.”             
                                                                                     

This Sunday's Psalm is an Easter song. 
The psalmist speaks of our savior, our cornerstone.
Our savior is Jesus, and though He appeared 
weak and beaten on the cross, 
He became victorious over death.
The psalmist speaks of that same irony,
“The stone rejected by the builders 
has become the cornerstone.” 
 
The Psalm tells us we are to, “Take refuge in the Lord.”
Though mortals may disappoint us, 
the Lord will not leave us discouraged.
Better to take refuge in the Lord 
than to put one's trust in princes.
Little children know instinctively whom to trust --
they know where the love is coming from.
And we are the same; 
as children of God, we put our trust in the Lord.   
He is the Good Shepherd.
Where else would we turn? 
 
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.”
It is none other than the Good Shepherd who comes 
in the name of the Lord, to care and protect us sheep.  
(See also Sunday's Gospel, John 10:11-18).
Our calling is only to listen for His voice
and to follow Him. 
Who else knows us as He does, 
or is willing to lay down his life for us? 
 
The psalm recalls for us 
the paschal mystery of Christ, 
who is crucified, resurrected,
and then exalted as the capstone of our faith.
God has shown his love for his people -- 
Jesus’ risen presence among us
is living proof of God’s enduring love.
Our psalmist confirms this, “God’s love endures forever.”
The Lord’s deliverance is cause for joy.
God’s love is empowering, as the psalm suggests,
This is how we pass from death to life. 
 
We may not have been 
one of those who saw Christ 
after He rose from the dead, 
but He is no less real to us.
There is no doubt that 
God's divine intervention 
was at work in Christ’s resurrection.  
As the psalmist says, we know that,
“By the Lord has this been done, 
it is wonderful in our eyes.” 
 
Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection
  

1.  Our psalmist reminds us more than once to trust God, not mortals or princes.   Even though you may not have seen the Lord in person, do you have any difficulty trusting in one you have not seen?   Explain.

2.  The Psalm says, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'   This verse is used in scripture to welcome Jesus.   Discuss how you have welcomed Jesus into your life.