Reflections
Psalm 30: 2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 (Read)
“I praise you, Lord, for you raised me up."
This is a Psalm that Jesus himself
might have prayed, following his
resurrection: “I praise you, Lord,
for you raised me up and did not
let my enemies rejoice over me.”
Our Lord Jesus was raised up
from the pit by the Father, even
though He bore the weight of our
sins. “Lord you brought me up
from the netherworld; you let me
live, from going down to the pit.”
God’s anger over the sins of all men,
that Christ took upon himself, lasted
but a moment -- “Divine anger lasts
but a moment; divine favor lasts
a lifetime.”
The Psalm speaks to us as we take part
in the joy of Easter. The joy of the resurrection
comes to us at dawn, after a terrible night,
as it came to those early followers of Jesus.
“At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the
dawn, rejoicing.” And that alone is reason
enough to change our mourning into dancing.
The Psalm concludes with praise that is
worthy of the Lamb, and recalls for us the
voices of the angels that St John speaks of in
today's second reading from Revelation 5:11-12,
“O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist says that God's anger lasts but a moment, while His favor
lasts a lifetime. Give an example of how you have been blessed by God's
favor after having fallen away for a time.
2. The Psalm speaks of changing our mourning into dancing. Tell of how the
resurrection of our Lord has lifted you up and brought within you a rejoicing of the spirit.
As Catholics, we are blessed with many living, dynamic, and powerful avenues to hear from God. The living Body of Christ at every Mass, the lives of the saints, the Sacraments, and Marian devotions... just to name a few.
ReplyDeleteThe ongoing apparition of Mary at Medjugorje is still not officially approved by the Church as supernatural. However, the Church recognizes "abundant spiritual fruits" that pilgrims have experienced, including conversions, increased sacramental participation, and strengthened faith.
In her most recent Medjugorje appearance, from April 25, 2025, Mary says: "Dear Children, Winds of peacelessness, selfishness,and sin are catching hold of many hearts and leading them into peacelessness and perdition. That is why I am calling you, little children: return to God and to prayer, so that it may be good for you in the hearts and on the earth on which you live. I love you, little children, and that is why I am not tiring of calling you to conversion. Thank you for having responded to my call."
I cannot think of a better way to turn my "mourning into dancing" than to return to the Lord. A focus on the world's ways leads only to worry and anguish. We look side to side to see who appears to be winning the race and then slink back in discouragement and envy. If we remember to look up, and see the resurrected Jesus, we can only rejoice in his power. He shares his victory over sin and death with us. We can feel his blessing and favor over the race we are each uniquely called to run. As verse 12 says, "That my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever."