Psalm Reflection: The Fourth Sunday of Lent, “Laetare Sunday” - Cycle B

“Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!” - Psalms 137

Have you ever been at a loss for words?

I have.

I started serving as a music minister for a Catholic youth Mass in 2005 while I was in my own process of spiritual seeking due to the recent death of my best friend, AJ. I was looking into every Church, denomination, and religion possible to find the answers to life’s big questions. While I was on this journey, I was treating my time playing music for Mass like a gig to keep AJ’s memory alive, because it was at the Church where his funeral was and music was a hobby we had shared.

It was at this parish where the seeds of my conversion were planted. I built relationships, asked questions, and learned the beauty, goodness and truth of the Catholic faith. I became intellectually convinced of Catholicism, which led to a powerful conversion experience with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration in 2006, where He allowed me to experience His mercy and forgiveness. I have been learning more and trying to grow even closer to the Lord ever since.

As powerful as all of that was, I was never at a loss for words throughout the process. I always had more to share with the Lord, more to say to Him. It was not until He called me in a more specific way that I was at a loss for words.

In June 2010, our worship band gained a new member. I knew this woman when we were younger and she had been friends with my younger sister, and our families had seen each other and interacted at Church, but her and I had never had any kind of friendship or relationship. I expected to see a childhood acquaintance, but when she walked into the Church I saw a beautiful woman and I was struck dumb. 

I was in theater all through high school, I had performed in improv groups, and I have often been told I am quick and witty. All of those abilities were removed from my body on this day and I think I only nodded, grunted, and half-smiled in a panic that first day she played with us. Thankfully, I was able to muster up the ability to speak and ask her out to coffee, and here we are almost fourteen years later, married with three children. I can still find myself at a loss for words at the blessings and abundance the Lord has given me. If I really trusted in God’s faithfulness, I should never have been surprised. In fact, I should be readily expecting God to work in incredible and abundant ways.

I am reminded of when Zechariah was struck mute, because he doubted the God’s ability to work in the ways the angel Gabriel had revealed:

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” - Luke 1:18-20

When I forget the reality that God is working in my life, when I do not have expectant faith and I am surprised when good things happen, I can easily be at a loss for words. Our Psalm this Sunday says, “let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you,” and I recall all of the times in my life I have forgotten the Lord’s providence and power in my life. I realize how often I can get caught up in the routine of my day-to-day existence that I could be missing so many blessings. I think about how little I trust the Lord at times that I can simply be struck dumb because He is faithful to His promises. 

How has God blessed you? 

What have you taken for granted?

What do you think the Lord wants for your life?

Where do you need to trust in God’s faithfulness?

You have probably heard that the most common command in the Bible is “be not afraid,” but the second most frequent command is “remember.” God wants us always to remember His faithfulness, and the consequences of those who forgot. This is one of the reasons why we have the Old Testament, because it provides a history of the faithfulness of God in the midst of human doubt, sin, and frailty.  And God does not change.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

God is still faithful.

God is still moving in your life.

God is still working for your greatest possible good (Romans 8:28).

Do not be surprised when He shows up.

Do not be at a loss for words, but instead say, “I knew you would, Lord.”

Let our dumbfoundedness turn into praise.

Let our simple prayers turn into radical trust.

Let our small requests turn into expectant faith.

God does not want to take our breath away, He wants to put His breath into our lungs and give us the gift of abundant life. He breathes His Spirit upon us to lead us to our flourishing and everlasting joy. 

If we forget God, we may be at a loss for words.

If God forgets us, even for a millisecond, we cease to exist.

Remember His faithfulness every time your lungs draw breath.

He is with you.

Do not be surprised when He shows up.

We know that He will.

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, March 10th, 2024, which is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, “Laetare Sunday” - Cycle B: Psalms 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6.