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Psalm Reflection: The Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

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Psalm Reflection: The Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

“I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” - Psalms 23

I have been blessed with many opportunities to travel in my life. I have some incredible stories and memories of experiences all around the world. No matter where I go or how many adventures to far off places I get to go on, there is something special about being home.

Dorothy herself said there is no place like it.

Do you agree?

Home is our comfort zone, our safe place. Having a sense of “home” goes beyond a particular house, group, or geographic location. It can change over time, and yet we always know where it is, what it feels like, and when we are not there.

The philosopher Plato wrote about the transcendental desires, those things that all humans are naturally inclined toward but no earthly experience can fulfill. These are things like truth, goodness, beauty, and love. One of these desires is a bit more obscure, but it is often translated as “being,” “belonging,” or “home.”

In some way, whether we realize it or not, we all deeply want to be home.

Saint Paul recognized the destructive consequences that resulted in people trying to fulfill these heavenly desires in earthly ways. He wrote this in his letter to the Philippians:

For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. - Philippians 3:18-20

Only God can truly and completely fulfill the desires we have for home and belonging. We can look around for some group to belong to, a cause to be part of, a relationship or a friendship that we think will finally make us feel seen, but all of these things are imperfect and will eventually end. Only our belonging to God has eternal potential.

On Jesus’ final night with the Apostles, he told them in them that He was going to prepare a place for them, and that they were to remain, or “literally” abide in Him:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. - John 14:1-3

Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. - John 15:4

This is what Jesus wanted the Apostles to hear immediately before he was arrested and taken away. That everything would be alright, and no matter where He is, they can and will find their home in Him.

You belong to God.

He is with you right now.

You have an eternal home.

No matter how alone or lost you feel, there is a room with your name on it in the house of Lord.

But being part of a home carries certain responsibilities. We have to contribute to the good of the home: run errands, clean, do chores, and take care of it together. The Church is the prefigurement of the kingdom of God on earth. It is the prototype of the heavenly house to which you belong. 

Are you pulling your weight?

Do you know what your role in the house of the Lord is?

What is the Church missing because you are not there? What are you not yet offering?

We will never age out of our responsibilities. We always have something to offer. Even in Heaven our job will be to praise God and intercede for those on earth. The role we play will always matter to God. Do not waste the unique gifts God has given you on seeking the attention, affection or admiration of others. Nothing on this earth will satisfy the deepest longings of your heart.

Remember who you are.

Remember whose you are.

Come home.

There is no place like it.

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

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, October 15th, 2023, which is The Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A: Psalms 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6.

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