Reflections
Psalm 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (Read)
“With the Lord, there is mercy and fullness of redemption.”
The psalmist calls to the Lord from “out of the depths”
of his sin that has brought him near to death. He asks
the Lord, “Hear my cry for mercy.” He waits with longing
for the Lord, knowing that God forgives, and redeems us,
even when we abandon Him. “My soul looks for the Lord
more than sentinels for daybreak.”
There is no way we can please God, so long as we remain
in the flesh, as St Paul says in Sunday's 2nd reading (Romans 8:8).
But God forgives us, gives us 'life in the spirit' and saves us
from death (remember 'the wages of sin is death.') What
greater act of forgiveness could there be than the sacrifice
of the Son of God for our sins? “But with you there is
forgiveness, that you may be revered.”
We too await our redemption with hope, knowing that even
if we are dead in our sins, the Lord will revive us. We too
cry out to the Lord for forgiveness – “Lord, may your ears
be attentive to my cry for mercy.”
Redemption is a promise made to us, just as the Lord
promised the Israelites that he would open their graves and
put his Spirit within them, so they would live. (Ezekiel 37:12-14)
That same Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, and St Paul
tells us the Spirit of God will give life to our mortal bodies also. (Romans 8:11)
This is that “full redemption” the psalmist talks about that is
later made real to us in the Gospel story of Lazarus. (John 11:1-45)
And so we too have come to believe and revere our Lord,
as happened in the Gospel among the Jews in Bethany.
Truly, 'Our God is an awesome God.'
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist sings about the promise of forgiveness that is available to us
if we trust in the Lord. Speak about how you will seek out God's mercy during this Lenten season.
2. The Psalm talks about 'plenteous redemption,' or the 'fullness of redemption.' Tell what this means to you as you prepare for the coming of Easter.
I relate to the Psalmist's words, "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!"
ReplyDeleteThis Psalm is described as NOT being born of desperation but rather sincere contrition and trust in God's loving care. However, as a sinner, I feel the desperation -- the pain and urgency of wanting God's sympathetic ear. Not to mention his merciful heart.
Lent is a time of recognizing where I need pruning. What areas of my life do I need to have shaped and re-shaped into God's image? It is always painful. Early on in Lent, I resonated with the Litany of Humility and praying the difficult words of DESIRING another's success and recognition over mine. In His mercy, God has given me the heart to embrace his "holy clippers." As the unfruitful twigs of pride and selfishness get cut, I feel the bleed. And then, an amazing thing happens... an uplifting forgetfulness. My once-cherished goals of praise and admiration, parts of my old self, seem to melt away in importance.
The branches remaining are strong, but new unhealthy twigs seem to want to grow. The disordered attachments I have that are unholy and very much "of this world" sprout new buds at every turn. I cannot imagine my life without some of these sinful ways, With the excuse of being "mama bear," perhaps I place the success of my children up on high. Or maybe I succumb to ingratitude for my blessings because of the way I suffered and served others in my past.
I know that if God healed me in one area, he can certainly do so in all areas. I rely on His mercy daily and trust that He will help me in ways most glorious. As in the Gospel, whether I am Martha, running to greet Jesus and explain my pain, or Mary, uncontrollably weeping at His feet... God mercifully meets me. And heals me.