Psalm Reflection: The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

“Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.” - Psalm 19

What keeps you going? 

Coffee, stress, anxiety, adrenaline, smartphone reminders?

What helps you keep getting up every morning? 

What is the purpose of your life?

What if everything on your résumé suddenly ended or ceased to have meaning? Would you still have a sense of your purpose? Would you still be able to find joy and meaning in your life, family, and relationships?

I ask these questions not to give you a sense of existential dread, but to acknowledge that we often place our purpose and identity in things that do not ultimately bring us joy or give us a sense of meaning.

When the Psalms were written, the Jewish people did not have a concept of the Holy Spirit as God, the third person of the Trinity, that the early church came to realize and define. References to “the spirit of God” referred more so to the life and animating power of God that sustains all things. This is true: that at every moment God is willing all life into existence. If He ceased doing so, for even a millisecond, life would no longer exist. God is willing us into existence at every moment of every day for our entire lives. 

Beyond God literally keeping us going, there are certainly other things that motivate us to get out of bed in the morning. Whether it is a sense of mission, knowing that God has called us to a particular purpose, or serving and providing for our family and others, we all have a "why" that fuels us. Sometimes, that "why" can become selfish and be about us. We might get up in the morning so that we can go to work to get that promotion, to make more money, to buy more stuff, and to appear better, richer, or more desirable to others.

This Sunday, the words of the Psalmist offer us a different source for our purpose: the Word of God.

How often are you in Scripture? 

Sacred Scripture, the Bible, is the Word of God, and it says that Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). So, the more we are in the Word, the more we will hear the voice of God and encounter Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will be able to animate us and inspire us throughout our day, when we root ourselves in Scripture. The Bible reveals to us the love that God has and his plan to redeem us. The words of Scripture are meant to be spirit and life for you and me, but this will only happen if we make the time to read and reflect on those words daily.

This week, increase the amount of time you spend in Scripture. Read one chapter of Psalms or of a Gospel every day, or work your way through a shorter New Testament letter like Galatians, Philippians, or Colossians, one section at a time. 

Try to do it first thing in the morning, so the words can stay with you throughout the day to inspire and animate you in all you do.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist. 

Matt.