Psalm Reflection: The Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B

“I love you, Lord, my strength.” - Psalms 18

Growing up we had a small wood shop or sorts in our basement, which we would use for projects on the house or occasionally for school. I always loved building things so I often jumped at the opportunity to go down there with my dad. One of the most ambitious projects we took on was to build a piece of furniture that could hold our massive movie collection. We had over one thousand movies in our house at one point, all cataloged and coded in a binder that we could look through and choose what to watch. 

We set out to build a floor-to-ceiling armoire with shelves on the interior and the doors that would close to hide the massive collection. I worked with my dad at every opportunity and I felt so proud and accomplished when we were done and brought it into the house to pile all of our movies into.

Now that I am a father, I see the same excitement and desire in my son. He always wants to help me with projects around the house. Any time I need to build or fix something he is right there next to me with his plastic toolbox. I love seeing the joy and accomplishment in his eyes when we finish something. Realistically though, he does not do much. He stands near me and asks questions, hands me an occasional tool, but mostly stands nearby. 

In retrospect, I realize the same was true when I would “help” my dad. It was usually him doing the work and me standing nearby. But no matter the circumstances, it was something we were able to do together and bonded over. My son experiences my deep love for Him because I include Him, even though I am the one doing the work.

The words of the Psalmist this week remind us of this same reality. It is the Lord who is our strength, He is the one who accomplishes the great works in us. We get to be there, but we are not ultimately responsible.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5

The Lord has given us every good gift, talent, ability and experience in our lives. The only thing we can claim ownership of is our sin, and yet Jesus claimed that for us too when He died on the cross for our salvation. Everything we do is impossible without His strength, and thus everything we do is an opportunity to grow in love for the Lord.

God is a loving father who includes us, invites us, and entertains our desires. He provides for us, protects us, and sacrifices to make our lives better and do things for us that we cannot do for ourselves. In doing so, He does not belittle us. In the same way that I do not correct my son and tell him he did not really help, God allows us to bask in the joy and celebration of our accomplishments, despite the fact that it was all only possible because of His grace and action.

This is why we cannot take ourselves so seriously. We cannot puff ourselves up as though we are independent, self-sufficient, and can accomplish anything and everything on our own. In doing so, we will make an idol out of accomplishment and we will become so concerned with what others think of us that we will be blinded to ways the Lord is trying to bless us and work in our lives. 

If I thought I could build that piece of furniture on my own and asserted my own skills above my father’s, that armoire would never have been built. I needed him.

We cannot do this on our own. We need Him.

This week is an opportunity to come to terms with our own pride.

How are you attached to what others think?

Why do you set the goals you have in life? Is it because you feel you are called to a purpose, or is it so that you will achieve something great in the eyes of others?

Do you act like you need God, or do you only consult Him when your plans do not seem to be working out?

God is the divine woodworker, crafting the blessings of our lives with His calloused and experienced hands. He invites us to grab some tools and get to work with Him, and relish in the beautiful things we create together. But we cannot ever think for a moment that we own the shop, or that we have made anything on our own. 

It all comes from Him. Let the labor of our lives be in giving it all back to Him.

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, November 3rd, 2024, the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B: Psalms 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51.