Psalm Reflection: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - Cycle B

“Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.” - Psalms 33

“You are adopted!”

The ultimate sibling insult. My sister and I said it to each other many times growing up. It implies that adoption is something less than being a real member of the family. However, in the Biblical times and in Ancient Roman society, adoption was something sacred and respected. A family could cast out or punish a rebellious biological child, even have them stoned to death (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). However, if you adopted a child, they were permanently part of your family and had all the rights and privileges of a biological heir, you could not cast them out.

A noteworthy historical example is that of Julius Caesar and Octavian, his grandnephew. When Julius Caesar was assassinated, it was found in his will that Octavian would be adopted posthumously and ascend to the throne ahead of any biological heirs. Octavian took the name of Caesar Augustus, and ruled during the time of Christ’s birth. It is so interesting that the act of adoption led to the leadership ruling at the exact time the Savior of the world would be born to reconcile us back to God as adopted sons and daughters. Coincidence?

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. - Romans 8:14-17

God is always pursuing us and working for our good.

He does not need us.

He wants us. 

He wants you.

The very first line of the Catechism of the Catholic Church establishes this reality as the foundation for everything that follows in the document:

God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. - CCC 1

God is infinitely blessed and perfect. He needs nothing. We can do absolutely nothing for Him. And yet out of love and sheer goodness, He created us. In the words of the Psalmist, the Lord has chosen us to be His own.

For you are a people holy to the LORD, your God; the LORD, your God, has chosen you from all the peoples on the face of the earth to be a people specially his own. - Deuteronomy 14:2

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. - John 15:16

God is choosing you. His desire for all of us is to be reconciled to Him as family. God gets nothing from us. In fact, you could argue that it would be much more convenient for God to obliterate all of us because of all the sin and destruction we bring into the world. Thankfully, God is merciful and instead of giving us what we deserve (justice), He gives us want we do not deserve (mercy). 

So, what has God chosen you for?

What purpose and vocation is He calling you to?

How is He asking you to represent the family of God out in the world?

Who is He encouraging to invite into this same gift of adoption?

The Gospel reading for this Sunday (Matthew 28:16-20) reminds us that God wants every single person from every single nation to hear the Good News, to be baptized into the family of God, and to experience the gift of salvation. We do not have the right to withhold that gift from anyone, and we are doing ourselves a disservice if we hold ourselves back from fully receiving and experiencing that gift.

Receive the gift of His love. Let Him choose you, and choose Him in return every single day. Recognize the you are never alone, and you are part of a massive, multi-ethnic, faithful family.

Every family has roles and responsibilities. What are yours?

We can build up or tear down the reputation of our family. Which one are you doing?

You are a child of God. Live 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, May 26th, 2024, which is The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - Cycle B: Psalms 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22.