If you have been paying close attention to the readings for mass this week, then you may have noticed that the gospel reading for today is the same reading from last Saturday. It’s easy to think that you made a mistake and looked at the wrong readings for mass today. If you picked up on that then you probably also noticed that the first reading and the psalm today are different from last Saturday’s readings. Perhaps we can look at these two readings a little more in depth than usual.
Actually, the psalm is almost always overlooked in homilies and reflections. Why is that? The psalms are very beautiful and fit almost all of the situations and circumstances of our lives. They seem to apply to us every day if you think about it. The monks pray the psalms every day of their lives and they have said that it never gets boring. Each time the psalms are prayed, there are new meanings or insights that seem to be particularly helpful or relevant for that day. The psalms are also recommended for the laity too, because they can provide structure and order to our days, give us a set time for prayer and help us to attain the habit of regular prayer. But, the psalms are also of great comfort and can bring much joy, peace and consolations into our daily lives. Particular psalms can be bookmarked and referred to when different circumstances occur in our lives, such as illness, death, opposition from others, guilt for our sins, to know God’s forgiveness and overcoming our fear. The psalms also express peace, comfort, expressions of joy and assurance of God’s love for us too.
Today’s psalm is very beautiful and fitting for spring:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day; and night to night imparts knowledge.
Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message.
The heavens themselves proclaim the existence of God. Human beings have the heavens and the natural world to teach us that God exists. Not a word needs to be spoken because God’s works speak for themselves. The fingerprints of God’s love is in everything that exists, but most especially in his son. It is the same with Jesus in today’s gospel. He said for us to “believe me because of the works themselves.” And that “the Father who dwells in me does his works”. The Lord went on to tell us that “the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do”. And that is precisely what Saint Paul is doing in today’s first reading. Saint Paul reminded his brothers and sisters of “the good news that I proclaimed to you.”
All three readings have to do with “proclaiming the good news” with our works. Whatever we do, we should put our heart into it as a way of serving the Lord. Sometimes people lose interest in a ministry, a job or a hobby and continue on with this activity long after their heart is no longer in it. This can sometimes be an indication that God is calling them to something else. This is especially true in volunteer work or ministry in the church. No one should continue in a ministry if their heart is no longer in what they do. We should stay in a ministry until God calls us elsewhere, or stay as long as our hearts indicate we should be there. The works we do are for the Lord and He is the one who should direct our life, so that our works speak of him. When they no longer speak of him, we no longer serve him in this way.
Today, let us do good works in whatever we do so they may glorify God.We should also be attentive to the Lord’s call, if he should need us to serve him in other ways too.
