One of the brief but poignant "gradual psalms" that serves as a model for growing into the person Jesus describes in Luke 17:34 is Psalm 121. The short, gradual psalms were sung by pilgrims on their way to worship in the temple in Jerusalem. "Gradual" is the chosen name, indicating proceeding step by step. They contain detail that one would observe while walking, with references to mountains, heat, the sun, the moon, shade, and God's abiding presence: "he neither slumbers nor sleeps" (Ps 121: 6). The pilgrim is reminded of God's fidelity and is called to submit entirely to his loving care.
In today's Gospel, (Luke 17: 26-37), Jesus reminds us that "whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it, will save it." (Lk 17: 34). A paradox for sure, but one based on the freedom and peace that abandonment to the care of God will provide, as the pilgrims found in Psalms 121. If we look upon the Lord as our keeper, then it will easy for us to "lose our lives", i.e. let go of our plans, be there for others despite the things we have to do, let the car entering from a side street have its way into the flow, and take time for prayer, even though we think we have something more important to do. May I suggest that you take Psalm 121 and Luke 17:26-37 and pray with them several times today. Let God be our keeper. We will find the time we didn't think we had to accomplish what is important for us today.
Bro. Rene
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment