Psalm for Sunday, June 29, 2025

Reflections 

Psalm 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9   (Read)

“When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress He saved him.”

Just as the Lord delivers St Peter from his 
captors (1st reading), so He delivers us from whatever sinful habits hold us captive.

“Let my soul glory in the Lord; that the poor
may hear and be glad.”  The word poor is 
said to apply to one who depends completely on God for his deliverance and his very life. 
That’s where St Peter stood also in the early stages of his apostolic journey, totally dependent on God for the strength to walk the walk that was planned for him (1st reading, Acts 12: 1-11).  

And if the truth is to be known, that's where we stand even today, when we are short of endurance along our spiritual journey.  Fortunately, God provides the inner strength we need to complete our own spiritual journey when we get bogged down.

Our psalmist David recounts for us how he gained 
deliverance, “I sought the Lord, who answered me, 
and delivered me from all my fears.”  Despite the 
anguish in David’s voice, the Psalm's verses speak 
of a promise of joy, “Look to God that you may be
radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame.”

In Sunday's 2nd reading St Paul is rescued from the lion's 
mouth and is empowered by the Lord to finish the race, to 
keep the faith, to complete the proclamation.  In his own words,
“The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.” (2 Tim 4: 6-8, 17-18)

The Psalm assures us that our prayers are heard if we have
a right relationship with the Lord, “The angel of the Lord will 
rescue those who fear him.” This verse is David's affirmation 
of total confidence.  The angel of the Lord will be sent to deliver
the poor one who cries out.   Both Saints Peter and Paul 
know how weak they really are, but given their trust in God's 
strength, both saints know the happiness of taking refuge in God.   
We follow in their footsteps, “Blessed the man who takes 
refuge in the Lord.”

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  The Psalm's verses speak of the comfort that we
obtain by taking refuge in the Lord.   Speak of how
you have tasted and seen how good the Lord is when
you seek His deliverance.

2.  Our psalmist prays that his soul will glory in the Lord,
that the lowly will hear him and be glad.  Tell of how you
have given witness to those who are struggling spiritually.

Psalm for Sunday, June 22, 2025

Reflections

Psalm 110: 1,2 3, 4   (Read)

“The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right 

hand till I make your enemies your footstool.'”

Our psalmist David speaks of the Messiah 

who is to come.   For us, the psalm is about 

the anointing of Jesus as our Savior, Jesus 

as the everlasting King and Priest.  Christ 

will take his throne at the right hand of God, 

as our psalmist predicts.   Christ will make 

his enemies his footstool.  He is able to do 

this because the Father has empowered 

Him to rule over his enemies.

And how does Christ's victory affect us 

earthly humans?  The truth is that we too are 

in the midst of the same spiritual battle that 

Christ has already fought.   And his victory 

means for us that we can be victors as well 

– victors, not victims.  And for that, we praise

God and give thanks to our King.

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of 

the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ  (Corpus 

Christi).  How is it that Jesus, anointed as the 

everlasting King and Priest, humbled himself to 

pour out his blood on the cross for us common 

sinners?  How is it that such a mighty King is 

willing to co-mingle his very flesh and blood with 

our own fallen flesh and blood?  All we can know 

is that God's plan intends that his perfect divine 

presence enters into our fallen, human presence 

and offers healing, wisdom, salvation,and hope. 

(Word Among Us)

How blessed we are that although we are not worthy 

to receive Him, He gives us angels' food, bread from 

heaven – “He fed them with the finest wheat and 

satisfied them with honey from the rock.” (Ps 81:17)

Our Lord is both shepherd and lamb to us, his well 

tended flock. As the Paschal Lamb, He spilled his 

lifeblood for us, feeding us as God sent manna to 

our spiritual fathers.  “Very bread, good shepherd, 

tend us, Jesus, You who all things can and know,

Who on earth such food bestow.”  

(Sequence, Laud, O Zion)

How remarkable that our Lord, though seated 

at the right hand of the Father, comes down from

heaven so that we sinners might have a share in 

his divinity. “I am the living bread that came down 

from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread 

will live forever.” (Jn 6:51) 

We are inspired to offer our prayers of thanksgiving 

to our Lord --

“Grant O Lord, we pray,

that we may delight for all eternity

in that share in your divine life,

which is foreshadowed in the present age

by our reception of your precious Body and Blood.”

(Order of Mass, Prayer after Communion)

Amen

 

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  The Psalm speaks of the anointing of Jesus as our Savior, who will rule 

in the midst of His enemies.  Tell of how you have relied on our Savior to fight 

your spiritual enemies on your behalf.

2.  With our Lord so powerful and seated at the right hand of the Father, does it surprise you that He would come down from heaven to mingle His precious body and blood with our human flesh and blood?  Explain

 

Psalm for Sunday, June 15, 2025

 

Reflections

Psalm 8: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9   (Read)

“What is man that you are mindful 

of him?  Yet you have made him 

little less than a god.” 

Why did our Creator give us life? 

Why are we given rule over God's 

works, and why did He put all things 

under our feet?  These age old 

questions are raised again by our 

psalmist, David, who is awed that 

God has made us so much like 

heavenly beings.

It is clear that we are made in the 

image of God, and we are His children. 

As the voice of Wisdom tells us, in 

Sunday's first reading, God takes delight 

in his children.  (Proverbs 8:31)

And St Paul, in the second reading,

reminds us that the Love of God has 

been poured out into our hearts through 

the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

(Romans 5:5) 

God dwells within us that we might have 

a share in His divinity. 

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the 

Holy Trinity.  Having been baptized in the Spirit, 

we are able to experience the divine Trinity within 

us.  It is said that we shall feel a resemblance to 

God in our souls.  'It is in the most secret recesses 

of the soul that God is known, in which he acts and 

exists. God is one with us; we can no more separate 

ourselves from God than from our own selves.' 

(Father John Tauler)

The Catechism teaches that God has destined us 

to share in the exchange of love among the Father, 

Son, and Holy Spirit.  'Man's living area is broadened 

and raised up to the supernatural level of divine life.' 

(St John Paul II)

'The Father has sent the Spirit into our hearts so that 

we cry 'Abba, Father.'  God is nearer to us than we are 

to ourselves through the divine indwelling.' (Magnificat).

Believing this is so, then we should be devoted to 

bearing fruit and lifting up our brothers and sisters, 

fulfilling the gifts of the Spirit that have been given to us. 

If we do that, God will truly be pleased, and what better 

way is there to praise Him than by doing His work. 

As our psalmist says, “O Lord, our God, how wonderful 

your name in all the earth!” 

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection  
 

1.  Our Psalmist says that we are made 'little less than the angels,

and crowned with glory and honor.'   As a child of God, speak of how 

you are doing the work of the Lord and how you know He takes pleasure 

in what you do.

2.  The Psalm tells us that the Lord has given us humans dominion over 

'all the beasts of the field ... and whatever swims the paths of the seas.'  

We know also that the earth was designed to be lived in.   What are you 

doing to be a good steward over the 'works of His hands?' 

  

Psalm for Sunday, June 8, 2025

 

Reflections

Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 (Read)

“Lord, send out your Spirit.”

“If you take away their breath, they perish; when you send forth your spirit, they are created.”  Animated by the Spirit, the divine Breath, we who are His creatures sing of the glory of our Creator.

“When you send forth your Spirit, you renew the face of the earth.”   God is the source of all natural life.  

So also the Holy Spirit is the source of all supernatural life.  

We are nothing without the divine Breath,  “When you 

take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust.”

It is this same creative Breath which came down on the 
disciples in that locked room that St Luke speaks of in 
this Sunday's 1st reading. (Acts 2:1-4)
The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to go forth 
and proclaim the Gospel boldly to men of all nations, 
speaking different tongues.

We too are called to be baptized in the Spirit, and 
to receive the divine Breath of the Lord.   Having been 
baptized in the Spirit, we are a new creation, and are 
called to glorify the Lord in what we do.  In this way, 
as the Psalm says, “May the Lord be glad in his works.”

Fortunately, for us too, the Spirit is manifested in 
each of us for some benefit, as St Paul reminds us 
in our 2nd reading. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
All we have to do is accept Christ and believe in Him.
Then we too will have the gift of life. 

Without the breath of God, we are nothing.  Just as 
the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples at Pentecost,
so too are we empowered by our Creator.  The presence 
of the Holy Spirit within us is how we share in the divinity 
of Christ.  

Without the breath of the Holy Spirit, we have no spiritual life.
But thanks to God's gift, we are a new creation, and we are 
baptized into Christ.  And that alone gives us reason 
to praise God.  As our psalmist says, “Pleasing to him be 
my theme; I will be glad in the Lord.”

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.   Our Psalm reminds us that we are dependent on the Lord for our 
very breath.   Tell about what makes you aware of the 'divine Breath' in your life.

2.  Our Sunday Psalm Response is, 'Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.'   Is the Holy Spirit doing a work in you?   Are you a 'new creation?'  Speak about your baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Psalm for Sunday, June 1, 2025

 

Reflections 

Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9   (Read)

“God mounts His throne amid shouts of joy.” 

This Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord, who was 

taken up to heaven to be seated 

at the right hand of the Father, 

far above every principality, 

with authority over every nation, 

as our second reading tells us.  

(Ephesians 1: 20-21)

With such an awesome God on His throne, 

what hope do we have as mere human beings 

that He will have anything more to do with us? 

How far removed can we be if this Jesus is taken

up to heaven and has all things put beneath His 

feet (including us)?

Fortunately, for us men, Jesus leaves us with a way 

to share in His divinity, through the Holy Spirit which 

He gives to us.  His power and presence remain within 

us, so long as we repent from our sins and believe 

in Him.

Power is often associated with arrogance and brutal 

treatment, but our God uses His power to work 

miracles, and bring about healing. He is risen, and

is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. 

Knowing this, we shout with joy, and we praise Him.

After Jesus' Ascension, the disciples began their 

active ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

That same power is given to us so long as we believe; 

we too are called to ministry.  And for that we are 

inspired to praise the Lord, as the psalmist says, 

“Clap your hands, shout to God with joyful cries; 

sing praise to God!”

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  The Psalm speaks of God mounting His throne and reigning over the nations.   

If God is raised up so far above us, how do you go about having a relationship 

with our Lord so that He is present to you?

2.  The Psalm's verses tell of God as the great king over all the earth, and we are 

urged to sing praise to our king.  Describe how our Lord's Ascension inspires you 

to celebrate with shouts of joy.

Psalm for Sunday, May 25, 2025

Reflections

Psalm 67: 2-3, 5-6, 8   (Read)

“May God be gracious to us and bless us;
may God's face shine upon us.” 
 
So much that God does for us is contained
in this opening verse of the Psalm.  God gives
us His grace through His son Jesus, who is
our Savior.  And we all want God’s blessings as the Psalm says.  Since the time of Moses,
God’s chosen people have reached out for
God’s blessings.
 
God gives us material blessings –
all our treasure and gifts are from Him.
And thankfully, He gives us spiritual blessings
as well –  to each individual the manifestation 

of the spirit is given for some benefit.  
 
No wonder that we Gentiles were attracted
to the faith, when St Paul and Barnabas
were traveling through the towns and visiting
the early churches.  And what could be better
than to have God's face shine upon us, as the
psalmist says.  We have a hint of what the
radiance of God's face may be like in this

Sunday's 2nd reading, where St John speaks of
the light of God's glory that shines in the
city of heaven.  (Revelation 21: 10-11)
 
By ministering to the Gentiles the 'way' of
the Lord became known upon earth among
all the nations, as the Psalm says.  Indeed the
Psalm  predicts that God’s saving power shall
be known among all the peoples.  Thankfully,
that includes us.
 
Today we join with our psalmist and the members
of the early church in praising God –
“May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.”
 
Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection
   
1.  Our psalmist asks that God will let His face shine upon us.   

Tell of how you have felt the radiance of God when He is present to you.

2.  The Psalm prays that the Lord's 'way' be known among all nations.   

What have you done personally to encourage others to follow 

the 'way' of the Lord? 

Psalm for Sunday, May 18, 2025

Reflections

Psalm 145: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13   (Read)

“The Lord is good to all and
compassionate toward all his works.”
 
When we reflect on what God has
done for us, we remember that God
has always done good things for us. 
That is God's nature – as the Psalm
says, “The Lord is gracious and
merciful and of great kindness.”
And so we pray this psalm to bless,
praise, and exalt the heavenly Father
in His perfection and in His works.
 
Our psalmist dwells on the everlasting
nature of God, on his love and presence
throughout all time, and we are called
to praise the Lord forever.  Our psalmist
reminds us, “The Lord is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.”
We know this inherently because we live
our lives with an unending stream of divine love.
 
There are times when we may question
why God allows us to suffer, why He allows
“bad things to happen to good people.”
We may ask, as the early believers probably did,
“Why is it necessary to undergo such hardships
to enter the kingdom of God?” 
 
Afflictions go hand in hand in our walk
with the Lord.   We may not understand
what God is up to, but we can be sure that
our faith will be strengthened if we stand
fast in the face of suffering.  We will become
better witnesses for Christ as we are humbled.
We become better servants if we bear up
with our difficulties and trust in the Lord,
as our psalmist tells us.  
 
Endurance is a Godly quality and will help
us to get 'yoked' to Jesus.   Having done that,
we, like our psalmist David, join with the
faithful and speak of the glory of God's reign
and bless His name.
 
Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.   The Psalm says, 'Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord.'    
Are you one of His works?   Tell of how you give thanks to the Lord 
and bless Him as one of His faithful ones.

2.   Our psalmist speaks of the everlasting nature of God's divine love.   
Describe how God's love has helped you to overcome hardship 
and get 'yoked' to Jesus.