This evening let’s do
a quick through one of the most popular of all the Psalms, the Psalm 23[1].
The Lord is my shepherd. God wants to
direct our lives. Jesus felt so bad for the people in today's Gospel because
they had no one to shepherd them. He mourns also for us. The world can be a
confusing place. Life can be confusing. Governments like those mentioned in the
first reading, often demand that people violate their consciences for what they
claim in the greater good. Historically, this has always resulted in the people
participating in hidden, immoral agendas. We witnessed this happening the last
century with the two extremes of fascism and communism. But what should we do
when confronted with what is presented as a small moral sacrifice for what is
claimed to be a greater moral good? We need a shepherd to direct us. We have
one. The Lord is our shepherd. We should follow God. Right is right and wrong
is wrong. We have to let God direct our lives, not politicians. This will
protect us from taking the steps that would lead to great evil.
I shall not want. God provides
that which we really need in life: a reason for being alive. Following our
conscience leads us to rest in Christ, at peace with God, at peace in our inner
worlds. Those are the restful waters where He leads us. United with Him, we are
who we were meant to be, unique reflections of the image and likeness of God.
He restores our souls. Jesus said in
the Sermon on the Mount that we should be perfect as His Heavenly Father is
Perfect. How can we be perfect? We are human, we are frail!...
And though I walk through the valley of
death, I fear no evil.
Yes there are continual challenges in life. In fact, the present life is just a
part of the totality of our lives. Here, we are in the valley of death. We are
mortal. We become sick and die. Worse, our loved ones die. Still, through all
the pain, the suffering and the sorrow, we ultimately trust in God. You are
with me, the Psalm proclaims. He is. He guides us with His rod and staff. We
are comforted with knowing that whatever happens, the Lord is in charge. He
will take care of us. In fact, even when others attack us for our devotion to
Him, when others mock us for our faith, even when other Catholics deride us for
our determination to live what we profess, even when others mock us because we
are not afraid to say what we pray, God will win out. God always wins. Jesus
Christ is the Victor. Those who oppose us because we live our faith will
eventually witness God's caring for us at the banquet of His Love.
He sets a table before me in the face of
my foes.
Psalm 23 ends with the great promise: Live united to the Lord and you will
experience his goodness and kindness in this life and union with Him in the
next life. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
So
often we sing this Psalm. So often we pray this Psalm. Today, with the help of
the Spirit of God let us resolve to live this Psalm •
[1] 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time
(B), July 19, 2015. Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Responsorial Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4,
5; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34.
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