Psalm Reflection: The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

“Lord, you are good and forgiving.” - Psalms 86

One thousand years.

That is how long Hitler touted that the reign of Nazi Germany would last. Despite the incredibly hooraying power he amassed and abused, the so-called “Thousand-Year Reich” only lasted a decade.

No earthly power lasts forever. 

No matter how horrifying, all-encompassing or untouchable a person or nation becomes, it never lasts forever. That is because real, lasting power is not tyrannical. Real power does not retaliate, punish or seek to control.

Tyranny occurs when weakness and insecurity is amplified with authority and resources. It is not a display of strength, but of fragility.

God is not a tyrant.

We say that God is omnipotent, meaning all-powerful, but it would be a mistake to equate His power with the power we see displayed in futile and selfish ways in the world. 

God does not oppress us, but He gives us free will.

God offers us rules and commandments not to condemn us, but to set us free from slavery to sin.

God does not force Himself upon us, He waits for our invitation.

As the Psalmist describes, He is good and forgiving. 

I cannot think of a single ruler in human history who is described this way. It shows you how twisted our ideas of power, leadership, and success are that we praise and remember those who are ruthless, tenacious, determined, firm and resolute, but not those who are kind, meek, generous and empathetic. In fact, most of the latter types of people never even get the opportunity to rule or lead, because the power-hungry snatch it from them.

We have to be careful that we do not distort our idea of God’s dominion, power and authority by viewing Him through an earthly lens. 

God is a liberator. He became flesh not to establish an earthly kingdom of dominance, but to welcome us into a heavenly kingdom of redemption.

Do you trust God?

Do you believe that God is good?

Do you think God is out to catch you or punish you in your sin?

Do you see God as a disappointed parent, or as a forgiving Savior?

Do you extend the goodness and forgiveness of God to others, or do you hold grudges and judge others?

This Psalm not only reminds us who God is, but also that we were made in the image and likeness of the very same God. So, if God is good and forgiving, we should strive to be the same, because it is who we were created to be.

What resentment are you holding on to? Who do you need to forgive?

What do you regret or wish you had done differently? How can you begin to forgive yourself?

In moments of darkness, doubt, difficulty, discouragement, despair, and desolation, remember the goodness of God. He already died for you to redeem you and rescue from whatever you are struggling with right now. He is pursuing you and always working for your good. If that is difficult for you to believe I would encourage you to pray the words to one of my favorite worship songs, Goodness of God:

I love You Lord

Oh Your mercy never fails me

All my days 

I've been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

I will sing of the goodness of God

All my life You have been faithful

All my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

In darkest nights

You are close like no other

I've known You as a father

I've known You as a friend

I have lived in the goodness of God

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me 

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me 

With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now, I give You everything

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

He is running after you, not to dominate you, but to love you.

Let Him.

He is good and forgiving.

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

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, July 23rd, 2023, which is The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A: Psalms 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16