Psalm Reflection: The Fifth Sunday of Easter - Cycle B

“I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.” - Psalms 22

My daughter goes to a school with uniforms. I love it, because we always know what to wear and I feel like it encourages the students to see each other as equals, not based on what brands they wear or things they own. 

A few months ago, I started to notice that the parents have uniforms too. It is not all of them, but a large number of the moms at the school show up in uniform: wearing Lululemons and holding their Stanley cups. I have no qualms with either of the brands themselves, I have a Stanley too. Yes, the handle snapped off and it is covered in stickers, but it is technically a Stanley. What I find interesting, though, is the way that these things are carried or worn as status symbols. There is an intentional effort to portray to the rest of the world a sense of wealth or status by what these brands symbolize.

I was thinking about the things we value and show off to the world, and it made me realize something:

We are all proclaiming a gospel, whether we realize it or not.

Our behaviors and our choices reflect a set of values and beliefs. If we do not intentionally form those values and communicate them to the world, the world will assume what they are based on our behaviors. If we act like we care about status and being seen in certain brands, other people will look at us and perceive that as a priority. Essentially, we are sharing the “good news” of owning nice things as a means to happiness.

When people look at you what do they see?

If someone followed you around for a day, what would they say mattered most to you? 

Do those things align with what you say you value most?

The Psalmist says, “I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.” Our faith is not meant to be private, it is meant to be lived in and expressed in the assembly of the people. Our faith should certainly be personal, but our personal faith is our unique experience and expression of a communal faith that is lived out everywhere we go.

Our faith is meant to be seen and heard by others; it is meant to invite a response from those we encounter. This is not for our own benefit or edification, but because we are meant to be walking representatives of Christ and His Church. The mission of both Christ and the Church is to proclaim the Good News and make disciples. So, as baptized believers, we should all reflect that same mission in everything we do, whether we are at the gym, at work, at school, at Church, running errands, or at home.

Are we visibly living out the Good News of Jesus Christ, or are we living our life in such a way that implies our happiness lies in earthly things?

What do you live for?

This week, reflect on how visible your faith is. Let your faith be something you talk about freely as part of your life when you are catching up with friends or coworkers. 

Talk about going to Mass over the weekend.

Ask others how you can pray for them.

Pray before your meals wherever you go.

Treat everyone with kindness, dignity, and respect.

Take care of your mind, body, and soul.

Invite others to join you at a ministry or at Mass.

Share your testimony.

Stand up for the Church when it is brought up in conversation and clarify misunderstandings.

Be someone who lives differently. Live a life that is attractive and worthy of imitation so as to compel people to ask you the reason for your hope. One of the biggest problems with evangelization today is Christians not being authentic witnesses out in the world.

“Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians." - St. Francis Xavier

Live out your faith with joy and boldness this week. 

Live it out in such a way that makes people wonder what is different about you.

Live your faith so that others will desire it for themselves.

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, April 28th, 2024, which is The Fifth Sunday of Easter - Cycle B: Psalms 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32