Psalm Reflection: The Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A)

“The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.” - Psalm 103

Kind. Merciful. Slow to anger. Compassionate.

At the end of this election season, will you be able to honestly and accurately describe every word you said and every interaction you had with these words? It is in times like this that the weakness and frailty of humanity seems to be on full display. However, these times also remind us even more of the abundance and undeserving love God pours out upon us in every moment.

We constantly make promises to Him that we do not keep, but He is kind.

We turn away from Him daily and do not deserve forgiveness, but He is merciful.

We insult Him and rebuke Him with our own selfishness, but He is slow to anger.

We come to Him broken and sinful, and He is compassionate.

That kind, merciful, slow to anger, and compassionate God created you in His image and likeness. That means, when you are living up to your potential and pursuing holiness, you will also be kind, merciful, slow to anger and compassionate. If you were to ask the people who know you best what words best describe you, would these words make the list? Are they things you need to work on? Let these words be our measuring rod this season, because we are called to bring Christ to others.

This week, you will probably be annoyed, irritated, resentful or frustrated at someone or something you encounter. Respond with recognition that the God of kindness, mercy, slowness to anger, and compassion dwells in you and every person you encounter. Be charitable, and engage with a gentle spirit (Galatians 6:1), so that God would be glorified by you being who He created you to be.

We are praying for you this week.

See you in the Eucharist.

Matt