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

“Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.” - Psalms 123

I was talking to someone today about cathedrals. 

Many people often criticize or misunderstand the Catholic Church when they look at these incredibly ornate buildings, claiming they are a sign of the Church’s massive wealth that should be given to the poor. What these people neglect to understand is twofold. First, the Church is the most charitable organization on the planet, operating countless schools, universities, hospitals, orphanages, and charitable organizations to serve the poor. Secondly, the towering steeples of gothic cathedrals are meant to be ornate and glorious in order to draw our attention heavenward.

When you walk into a traditional cathedral, you are meant to be captivated by the grandeur of the space, because the God of the universe who we worship is worthy of our best. The soaring ceilings and adorned altars are meant to communicate to us that this place is not like the rest of the world: this is where heaven meets earth. Every Church, in some sense, is meant to communicate God’s glory to us. Churches should be constructed and decorated to show God the reverence and honor He is due.

In fact, many of the names of those who designed and built the great cathedrals of Europe have been lost to history. Some of these cathedrals took over 100 years to build, which was more than one person’s lifetime. These builders often gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished, and yet they showed up day after day. They made personal sacrifices for no credit. They showed up at a job they would never see finished for a building their name would never be on. It has been said that no great cathedrals will ever be built again because so few people are still willing to make the sacrifice.

There is a story about one of the builders working on a cathedral who was carving a tiny bird inside a beam that would be covered over by a roof. Someone came up to him and said, “Why are you spending so much time on something no one will ever see?” The builder replied, “because God sees.” 

The Psalmist this week reminds us that our eyes must remained fixed on the Lord, and, when they are, we are left only with wonder and awe at the magnitude of who God is, compelling us to worship and recognize our infinite need for His infinite mercy. 

We live in a very transactional world, and we must be careful that does not infiltrate our spiritual life. We do not build great cathedrals, come to Mass, pray, or tithe in order to earn God’s mercy. We do these things because we recognize the greatness of the God who has given us everything, and we acknowledge how much we truly need Him.

Jesus said, “without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We are utterly hopeless without God. There is no life, goodness, joy, peace, or existence if the Lord does not will them. And yet, our eyes can remained fixed on earthly things like popularity, money, status, pleasure, and on ourselves. 

When will we realize these things will never satisfy us?

Or we question and obsess over problems, suffering, injustice, and death, as if by understanding or by grasping for control we will somehow be able to fix them.

When will we surrender and trust that the Lord knows what He is doing?

Whatever is going on in your life this week, whatever is occupying your time, energy, and worry, take time to draw your gaze away from these things and fix your eyes on the Lord. Simply sit with Him in Adoration, in nature, in a chapel, in silence, and try to focus completely on Him. When the worries and distractions come, hand them to Him and trust that the God who inspires the building of great cathedrals is grand and powerful enough to handle anything and everything you give to Him.

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, July 7th, 2024, which is the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B: Psalms 123:1-2, 2, 3-4.