Psalm Reflection: The First Sunday of Advent - Cycle A

“Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” - Psalm 122

Are you having déjà vu too?

I have written and reflected upon the same Psalm in the span of months or years, but two back to back weeks with the same response is rare… and difficult.

What else can I say?

As I reflected on these same words this week, my focus moved from “the house of the Lord,” to the word “us.” 

It reminded me of this quote by the Venerable Fulton Sheen: “As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them, coming towards us and thanking us.  We will ask who they are, and they will say ‘a poor soul you prayed for in purgatory.’”

It reminded me that Heaven is about far more than we think. Heaven is ultimate joy, peace, love and happiness. However, when we think about those things we often think about them through the lens of what it will be like for us as individuals. We think about heaven as a personal goal rather than a celebration we are tasked with inviting the world to.

Even though Heaven will be more incredible than anything we can imagine, it is not about us. Heaven is about eternal worship in perfect unity, love and community with all the saints and angels. Heaven is about unity and reconciliation between all people. There is no division or isolation.

Think of it this way: you could travel the whole world alone, or you could do so with your best friend. Even if you went to all the same places and had the exact same experiences, the two trips would be radically different because you got to share one with someone that you loved. Heaven is an even more amplified version of that, except that the alternative does not exist: there is no loneliness in Heaven. There is no solo experience. 

So, as you pray the words of the Responsorial Psalm this week and sing them on Sunday, who comes to mind with the word “us”? 

Who do you want to make sure is there with you one day in the joyful wedding feast of Heaven? 

We may experience all people in Heaven because of our memories and love of them being with us, but I think part of Purgatory will be the process of having to let go of our attachment to those who will not physically be with us. I think that will be the hardest for me. I can let go of possessions, unaccomplished goals, and earthly desires. Relationships are far more precious. That is all the more reason why I need to make sure everyone I love gets to Heaven.

Who is on that list for you?

Who needs to hear the difference Jesus has made in your life?

Who needs to hear the Good News of salvation, mercy and forgiveness?

Who do you want to rejoice in the House of the Lord with for eternity?

This week, continue the work of getting all those people on that list the Heaven in whatever way you can: 

a conversation, 

a prayer, 

an encouraging word, 

an invitation, 

your loving presence, 

a listening ear, or 

an answer to a question. 

You are already capable of giving these gifts to others, so do not withhold them until it is too late. The beginning of this Advent season is a reminder to be prepared for Christ to come to again, not only for us, but for those we love.

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

Matt