Psalm Reflection: The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord - Cycle B

“God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.” - Psalms 47

A vintage pocket watch.

A baritone ukulele.

A real bayonet.

A Burma run flight jacket.

These are some of the incredible things I have found at garage sales. On Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends, my wife and I use to get the local newspaper in our hometown and follow a map of all the different garage and yard sales happening all over town. We loved finding unexpected treasures and spending that time adventuring around our mountain community together. Those are some of my favorite memories. In fact, today is her birthday, so please say a special prayer for her as you read this!

I also love garage sales because they remind me of all the stuff I have at home that I no longer use and need to get rid of. I feel so renewed and refreshed after going through my belongings and purging my possessions to give away so that others can enjoy them and I can have a cleaner, more organized space.

I think we need to have a “garage sale mentality” in our spiritual life.

In this Sundays Psalm, it says that “God mounts his throne.” This implies that the throne is unoccupied. Empty. If it were filled, God could not be able to assume His rightful place in it. For many of us, we can easily place things on the thrones of our hearts that are not of the Lord, but instead are earthly idols or pursuits that we think will satisfy us. 

We enthrone our careers, our self-image, our financial stability, our relationships. We tell ourselves that if we pursue these things whole-heartedly then we will be happy, but it never works. All we end up doing is cluttering or burying the throne that God is meant to reign from, and we become lost, distraught, confused, and unfulfilled.

Having a  “garage sale mentality” in our spiritual life means that everything else must go. We must be willing to let go of the clutter of sin and attachment that we do not need in order to make room for the Lord to mount His throne. And when He mounts His throne, the Psalm reminds us that the response should be one of joy. We do not do this out of blind obedience and then brood and whine over how boring our lives are or what we have given up. When God is on His throne, everything is in proper order and the world falls into correct alignment. We realize that sin is what is truly boring and unsatisfying. We experience that a life lived with Christ is a life of incredible adventure that gives us joy, peace and hope in all things.

What must go in your life?

What sits on the throne of your heart?

What would your family, friends, or coworkers say if they were asked what they thought your number one concern or priority in life was? It is what you want it to be?

Letting go is hard in the spiritual life, it is much more difficult than reorganizing a closet and getting rid of some old shoes. We can keep a clean house and still be spiritual hoarders, holding on to anger, doubt, fear, worry, anxiety, resentment, unforgiveness, sin, and pride. 

Let go.

Let me tell you as a brother in Christ, they are not worth it. You do not need to hold on to those things any more. Get rid of them to make room for the life the Lord wants for you.

Let go.

Everything must go so that He can give us everything. We must decrease so that He may increase. Declutter the throne, so the Lord can sit in His rightful place. It is time for spring cleaning in our soul.

Let go.

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 12th, 2024, which is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord - Cycle B: Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9.