Psalm Reflection: The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B

"Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.” - Psalms 107

Winter in the mountains. 

It can be scary with black ice, thick fog, unplowed roads, and panicked tourists spinning their cars out on the road.

But it is also incredibly beautiful.

Growing up in the mountains, winter meant leaves changing, storms, wild driving conditions, and snow days. Some winters had surprisingly little snow, and some were so intense they left people trapped in their homes.

Those intense winters were ones where you could look out and see every single thing covered by snow. The leaves, grass, and flowers were gone and buried under thick white blankets of snow. There were no signs of life except for one: the evergreens.

Tall pines, cedars, and fir trees withstood the harsh winter conditions and stood tall, remaining verdant and green despite being covered in snow.

When everything seems desolate and barren, evergreens serve as a reminder that life continues to endure in even the most difficult of times. It is the reason having them in our homes at Christmas time became a tradition, to represent the eternal and enduring presence of Christ.

Winter never fully takes over and destroys everything. Life persists and endures, and the signs of life are present and beautiful to those who take the time to notice.

The words of the Psalmist, “give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting,” remind us to have gratitude for the enduring love of God, even in difficult times. Our gratitude can become a daily reminder of God’s love, which remains even in the midst of life’s most desolate moments.

This is also why we celebrate the birth of Christ near the winter solstice: it is the longest night of the year. We are reminded that the greatest blessings and signs of hope can come in the darkest and coldest of times. 

God’s love for you will outlast anything and everything you are going through.

It is stronger and more persistent than any sin, suffering, attack, anxiety, worry, stress, doubt, or fear.

God’s love is higher and more powerful than any illness, condition, addiction, or disease.

And God’s love burns so intensely for you, even those who dwell in Hell who may come against you, the Enemy and his demons, cannot stand the heat and flee in His presence.

Creation is a beautiful example of the cycle between death and new life. Whenever something dies, decays, or changes with the seasons, new life comes forth, but only with time and patience. The same is true in our lives. Things may not seem hopeful now, but God makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).

Go outside and bask in the life around you. Notice the signs of growth and new life. The more we recognize the presence of God and new life around us, the more we will trust that new life will come in our moments of darkness and sorrow.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt