Reflections
“The Lord comes to govern the world with justice
and the peoples with fairness.”
The Psalm is about the coming of God,
and the promise is made that when the Lord
comes, he will govern the earth with justice.
Scripture teaches us that we do not know when
the Lord will come, and we are warned to be ready
because it may happen like a thief in the night.
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus speaks about the
day of judgment, when awesome sights and mighty
signs will come from the sky and when the disciples
will be hated by all because of His name.
Although the Psalm is about the joy of the Lord’s
coming, there may be reason for anxiety on our part.
The Book of Malachi warns us that the day is coming
when evildoers will be set on fire and become stubble.
Should we be afraid of the Lord’s judgment?
One thing is sure—we need to be ready, to prepare
to face the arrival of God. We do not know when that
day may come; some in our generation doubt that
day will come at all. For those who have put their
trust in the Lord, and attempted to apply His teachings
toward others they meet in the course of their day,
there will be rejoicing and praise. For others who
have slacked off and found fault with their neighbors
and have not lifted a helping hand, shame and destruction
may be at hand. After all, we are called to be caregivers;
we are indeed our brother’s keeper.
“The Lord comes to govern the earth.”
We may not always welcome someone who comes
to rule over us. Or to judge us. But the Lord brings
His “healing rays.” He is after all the “sun of justice.”
The Book of Malachi assures us that if we fear the Lord,
“The sun of justice will arise with its healing rays.”
There is hope for us, as we struggle not to be idle,
and face those who hate us because of our faith.
Our Lord liberates us from whatever holds us back
or drags us down. And we kick up our heels like
“calves being released from the stall.”
The Psalm repeatedly tells us to be joyful about
the Lord’s coming; to sing praise to the Lord;
to shout with joy to the Lord. We join with our
surroundings, “Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm speaks about the Day of the Lord,
when He will come to rule the earth with justice.
Are you ready for the Lord's coming? Speak about
how you are preparing for it.
2. Our psalmist writes about those who dwell
in the world shouting for joy before the Lord,
when He comes to rule the earth. Explain how you
will sing praise to the Lord and sing joyfully before
the King, the Lord.
and the peoples with fairness.”
The Psalm is about the coming of God,
and the promise is made that when the Lord
comes, he will govern the earth with justice.
Scripture teaches us that we do not know when
the Lord will come, and we are warned to be ready
because it may happen like a thief in the night.
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus speaks about the
day of judgment, when awesome sights and mighty
signs will come from the sky and when the disciples
will be hated by all because of His name.
Although the Psalm is about the joy of the Lord’s
coming, there may be reason for anxiety on our part.
The Book of Malachi warns us that the day is coming
when evildoers will be set on fire and become stubble.
Should we be afraid of the Lord’s judgment?
One thing is sure—we need to be ready, to prepare
to face the arrival of God. We do not know when that
day may come; some in our generation doubt that
day will come at all. For those who have put their
trust in the Lord, and attempted to apply His teachings
toward others they meet in the course of their day,
there will be rejoicing and praise. For others who
have slacked off and found fault with their neighbors
and have not lifted a helping hand, shame and destruction
may be at hand. After all, we are called to be caregivers;
we are indeed our brother’s keeper.
“The Lord comes to govern the earth.”
We may not always welcome someone who comes
to rule over us. Or to judge us. But the Lord brings
His “healing rays.” He is after all the “sun of justice.”
The Book of Malachi assures us that if we fear the Lord,
“The sun of justice will arise with its healing rays.”
There is hope for us, as we struggle not to be idle,
and face those who hate us because of our faith.
Our Lord liberates us from whatever holds us back
or drags us down. And we kick up our heels like
“calves being released from the stall.”
The Psalm repeatedly tells us to be joyful about
the Lord’s coming; to sing praise to the Lord;
to shout with joy to the Lord. We join with our
surroundings, “Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm speaks about the Day of the Lord,
when He will come to rule the earth with justice.
Are you ready for the Lord's coming? Speak about
how you are preparing for it.
2. Our psalmist writes about those who dwell
in the world shouting for joy before the Lord,
when He comes to rule the earth. Explain how you
will sing praise to the Lord and sing joyfully before
the King, the Lord.
How to prepare for the Lord's coming? I wish the answer was easy and uplifting.
ReplyDeleteThe battle between fear and peace is constantly raging inside of my head and heart. Am I living an idle life? Or the life of one on fire for Jesus -- emboldened to share with all people with whom I come face to face?
My honest answer falls in between.
I feel fear of the future as I think of the days that I am consumed by the allure of material gain, vanity, and other fleshly delights. I feel more peace on the days that I detach from worldly lust and am able to focus my gifts on helping God's kingdom through those around me.
Can I do anything to tip the scales in favor of my salvation? Not by my own strength or effort, but certainly with the Lord's grace. He tells us we receive this gift of grace through asking for forgiveness, humbling ourselves before God, extending kindness to others, and consistently spending time with God through prayer and the Word.
In a recent novena experience, it dawned on me that the closest I can get to Jesus is to receive His body and blood as often as I can, and as sincerely as I can, so as to INFUSE myself with Christ. I pictured myself filling up more and more with Him and less of me. I sometimes forget this revelation and plod along in my familiar and pitiful pattern of sin. But when I can remember this image, I am re-inspired to live well and according to heavenly priorities.
May He find me ready for Him when the time is here for my judgment. May I join the millions of other souls, in basking in His ultimate mercy forever.
I enjoyed reading about Psalm 98 and I have no doubt that we must feel in our hearts
ReplyDeletethat when God comes to judge all creation, that His judgement is a cause for celebration not
fear (for those who trust in Him and live by God's rules).
We are promised that God's judgement will be with complete and absolute fairness, equity and
righteousness, (unlike often flawed human justice...) God will bring complete hope and justice to all of
His children and to all creation and this will be comforting to all who have longed for wrongs to
be made right.
Knowing our Lord will arrive as King and Judge should be celebratory. What I find really sad and what
is wrong with our world today is that people have lost sight of the impending judgement day when God
will return as King and Judge over all creation; they have no fear of God or of the impending judgement
day. They totally lack a feeling that they will face retribution & punishment for their wrong doing and
evil ways. We all struggle, including myself, to live a life that will make God proud of us, that we are
living in and embracing His word. We must be purveyors of traditional Christian values and not only
emulate those values ourselves, but just as importantly, to assist others in any way we can - so that
we are all prepared collectively for our Lord to arrive as King and Judge.