Psalm for Sunday, November 27, 2022

Reflections

Psalm 122:  1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9  (Read)

“I rejoiced when they said to me, 

'Let us go up to the house of the Lord.”

This Sunday we revisit this Psalm that sings of a 

spiritual journey to the house of the Lord, the holy 

city of Jerusalem.  In Sunday’s first reading the 

prophet Isaiah also speaks about a journey to Zion, 

to the house of God, and to God’s holy mountain. 

(Isaiah 2: 2-3)   We too are called to make that 

same journey, that we may walk in His paths. 

Our psalmist says, “Our feet are standing within 

your gates, Jerusalem.” 

But why are we called to make that journey?

Firstly, we stand with the Israelites who already 

dream of gathering together at some future time.

But secondly, for us as Christians, the psalm is a 

vision of the end times, when our spiritual 

pilgrimage leads us from earth to heaven.

Our psalmist says we are called to give thanks 

to the name of the Lord, but we note also there 

are set up judgment seats at our destination.

For our journey ends where God resides, His 

kingdom of heaven, and we must be prepared 

to be in His presence. 

St Paul, in Sunday’s second reading,

cautions us to throw off the works of darkness, 

and to put on the armor of light, to conduct 

ourselves properly as in the day, to put on the

Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 13: 12-14)

Jesus himself says in this  Sunday's Gospel ,

“You must be prepared, for at an hour you do 

 not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

(Matthew 24:44)

Jerusalem in the Psalm symbolizes for us the 

end of our journey, being present with the Lord. 

This is what God has planned for His people --

When we arrive in God's holy city, the kingdom 

of God will come to us in its fullness, and we will 

live in peace. As the psalmist tells us, we will be 

filled with a desire to say, "Peace be with you.”

I will pray for your good.”

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

  
1.  As we begin a new season of Advent, the Psalm  encourages us to be prepared 

for the time when we  will be in God's kingdom and He will be present to us.   Speak about what you are doing to prepare yourself  to be in God's holy city.

2.  As we prepare to receive the Prince of Peace within  our midst, our psalmist asks 

us to pray for peace within  the walls of the holy city and within ourselves.  What are  you doing to ensure that you have peace within you and  how are you conveying your 

peace to others around you?

Psalm for Sunday, November 20, 2022

Reflections 

 

Psalm 122:  1-2, 3-4, 4-5  (Read)

“We will go up to the house of the Lord.”

 The Psalm is about a pilgrimage to the holy 
 city of Jerusalem. “Let us go to the house 
 of the Lord.” And for us it may also be about 
 a spiritual journey that we must embark 
 upon if we are to enter the Lord’s kingdom
 and be present to the King of Kings.

For us the way is clear – we have only to 

follow God’s beloved son, our Savior.

For just as God chose David to be the 
shepherd for his chosen people (2 Samuel 5:2),
so God chose his son Jesus to lead us to 
redemption. And as St Paul says, the Father 

saw to it that we would be transferred

to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (Colossians 1:13,14)

The gate is narrow, but as the psalmist says, 
“And now our feet are standing within your 
gates, Jerusalem.” Now we too have a share 
in Christ’s inheritance.

And what draws us to make the journey 
through the narrow gate? We seek to be with 
the Lord, just as did St Dismas, the thief who
was crucified with Jesus on Calvary. 
Sunday’s Gospel quotes St Dismas
when he says, “Jesus, remember me when you 
come into your kingdom.” 
The Lord replies, “Today you will be with me
in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

This is our goal, too – to complete that pilgrimage 
the psalmist speaks about, to reach that 
holy city where are the “thrones of justice, the 
thrones of the house of David.”

Jerusalem in the Psalm symbolizes for us 
the end of our journey, being present with the Lord.
This is what God has planned for his people.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our Psalm speaks of a journey to the Lord's kingdom.   What progress are you
making along the way on your own  journey to the Lord's holy city?

2.  The psalmist mentions that he has set foot within the gates of Jerusalem.
Describe your decision to walk the walk and go through the narrow gate that leads
to redemption and a share in our Lord's inheritance.

Psalm for Sunday, November 13, 2022

 Reflections

Psalm 98:  5-6, 7-8, 9  (Read)

“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.