“The Lord gives food to the hungry, sets captives free.”
This Sunday's Psalm sings of the promises of the Lord.
Just as Elijah promised the widow in this Sunday's first
reading that she would not go hungry (1 Kings 17:16),
so does the Psalm promise that the Lord will sustain
the widow and the fatherless.
But the Lord’s promises go far beyond flour and oil.
The Psalm contains encouraging words not only for
poor widows, but for each of us as well.
God's promises are fulfilled in the person of Jesus,
who carries out the promises of the Psalm – He sets us
captives free and gives sight to us so we can truly see.
And Jesus sustains us -- with real food and drink.
“The Lord raises up those who were bowed down.”
We are all bowed down because of our brokenness
at one time or another. And where do we turn to be
lifted up and made whole again? We turn to the Lord.
Who else has the grace and the mercy to heal us?
Have we not been under pressure from the evil one
to commit sin? Have we not been held captive at
one time or another by our sins? And do we not
experience a hunger for the Lord and for a deeper faith?
That same power that gives sight to the blind and
raises up those who are bowed down is available
to lift us up away from whatever imprisons us.
All it takes is to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior,
and open our hearts to Him.
So we can pray this Psalm, not only in honor of the
heavenly Father, but also in honor of Christ, whom God
exalted. And having done that, we can join with the
psalmist and sing, “The Lord shall reign forever;
our God, through all generations."
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist promises that the Lord will secure justice for the oppressed
and set captives free. In what ways have you been imprisoned, and how
has the Lord set you free?
2. The Psalm says the Lord gives food to the hungry. Describe how the Lord
has given you real food and drink to satisfy your hunger for a closer relationship
with Him.
Just like with physical hunger, my spiritual self can experience cycles of cravings and contentment. It depends on the time of day or season of life.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I love being a Regular Adorer -- communing with the presence of the Lord for my committed hour. I am settled, calm, and focused. I am fed by the meditative time with Jesus.
In the times I cannot make my hour, and ask for a sub, and carry out my worldly commitments instead, I feel the pang of hunger. I am missing these extra nutrients received by being still before him.
Recently, my parish underwent a huge overhaul with Perpetual Adoration. Every existing name and hour was erased. We started over from the beginning in recruiting committed adorers for the 24/7 feat. Until the logs were refreshed, the Blessed Sacrament was hidden, not exposed. We could still adore through the concept of the Tabernacle being located behind a shared wall of the Adoration chapel. But. The. Chapel. Was. Empty.
To walk into a space once illuminated with the Real Presence, and to have it gone, felt like utter darkness. Real hunger, A craving for something I cannot explain. I used to take the light of Christ for granted and filled myself up without thinking sometimes.
As our Perpetual Adoration returns, I will be more mindful of the hunger within... and the lasting nature of how it is satisfied in Christ. Sometimes, a blessing must be removed before it's fully appreciated.