Psalm for Sunday, July 27, 2025

 

Reflections 

Psalm 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8   (Read) 

Our psalmist David composed 

this prayer of a grateful heart.
“I will give thanks to you,
O Lord, with all my heart.”

David is grateful because his
petitions are answered by the Lord.
“For you have heard the words
of my mouth.”   The Lord's answers
to our psalmist's prayers have come
at a critical time,  a time when David
is seeking to build up his strength.

David speaks of a divine rescue --
“When I cried out, you answered;
you strengthened my spirit.”
Perhaps we’re all in need of a spiritual
rescue of the type David describes.

And it isn’t because of any of the
psalmist’s virtues that he obtains salvation.
It is a result of God’s loving fidelity.
“Lord, your love is eternal.”

Our Savior Jesus conveys a similar
teaching in this Sunday's Gospel,
“Ask and you will receive; seek and
you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you.  For everyone
who asks, receives; and the one
who seeks, finds.”

Our God does not forsake the work
of His hands, though who has given
the Lord anything that he may be repaid?

Our psalmist reminds us—all God
has to do is stretch out his right hand,
and we will be saved.  “You stretch out
your hand, your right hand saves me.”

Unworthy as we are, and though the
Lord is exalted, He watches over us in
our lowly state.   And thanks be to God,
His kindness endures forever.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist affirms that God answers our needs, "Lord, on the day 

I called for help, you answered me."   Give an example of how your prayers have been answered at a critical time in your life.

2.  The Psalm reminds us that although the Lord is exalted, He sees the lowly.   What is it that gives you confidence that the Lord will not forsake you, even though He is exalted and you are among the lowly ones.

Psalm for Sunday, July 20, 2025

 

Reflections

Psalm 15: 2-3, 3-4, 5    (Read)

This Psalm of David begins with 
a familiar question,
“Who may dwell on your holy mountain?”

Fortunately for us, David gives us answers 
that serve as a lesson in how today's Christians are to behave if we are to dwell in God's Kingdom.

David says, “He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.”  For us this can mean whoever has a right relationship with the Lord will inherit God's Kingdom.  Whoever loves God with all his heart and loves his neighbor as himself is not far from the Kingdom of Heaven, as Jesus affirms in scripture.

Jesus was born to bring us the Kingdom and to personify
the Kingdom of God to us humans.  If we follow what
our psalmist prescribes, we will find that we are able
to live now in the Kingdom of God, here on earth.

David describes what separates us from God and
His Kingdom.  Our separation is caused by the
sinful things that we do and the harmful habits
that we acquire willfully.  This separation can only
be healed through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus shows us that the Kingdom of God is 
at hand and can for us become a present reality,
inside of us and within our community.  Just as 
David did, we hunger for God's presence; we long
for His Kingdom. 

Fortunately for us, through the Eucharist we are able to
receive Jesus physically and spiritually and to live in
His Body as He lives in ours.   And having Jesus remain
in us as we remain in Him, we are able to make the 
Kingdom present to our family and our community.  

Our God intended for us to have a share in His own
divinity.  All we have to do is accept God's Son into 
our hearts and follow His teachings.  Then you 
and I will be not far from the Kingdom. We will have   
Jesus in our midst, and we will be able
to dwell on God's holy mountain.

Amen


Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our psalmist David asks us once again, "Who may dwell on God's holy mountain?"  Drawing from the verses of the Psalm, speak of what you are doing to draw closer to God.

2.  The Psalm says that one who thinks the truth in his heart will live in the presence of the Lord.  Describe how you are making sure you have a pure heart so as to gain favor with God.

Psalm for Sunday, July 13, 2025

 

Reflections

Psalm 19: 8, 9, 10, 11   (Read)
 
“Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.” 

God’s statutes refresh our soul; they give "wisdom to the simple;" they "rejoice our hearts;" they are more "desirable than gold, sweeter also than honey."

“The law of the Lord is perfect,  refreshing the soul.”  The Psalm speaks to us of the joy that is stirred up in our hearts when 
we follow the Lord’s commands.

Our Savior Lord Jesus came to fulfill 
the law and make us right with the Lord.
If we are to imitate the divine life,
everything we need to know is found 
in God’s Law.  Obeying the Law brings 
much reward.
  
We are kept from willful sins by the Law.  
Obey the Law and we will be able to walk 
as God fearing people.  As our psalmist 
explains, the Law of the Lord is in fact a 
source of joy, something to be desired, 
because the Law gives us wisdom and
provides us with something we can trust.

It is through the inspired Word of God that 
we know His commandments and through 
this Psalm that we know His Law is a source 
of refreshment, a source of joy.   His statutes 
do not bind us, they set us free.  

The reading of the Law should not 
make us sad, but be a source of rejoicing. 
Give us ears to hear!

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our Psalm response this Sunday is, 
"Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life."    
Tell of how God's commandments are for
you uplifting and nourishing.

2.  Our psalmist says that God's ordinances
are for him 'sweeter than honey.'   Explain what
this verse means to you.