‘The Lord remembers his covenant forever’

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

THAT’S the responsorial psalm for the Mass of Thursday of the 5^th Week of Lent. (cfr. Ps 105,8) It’s all worthwhile to bring these words in our prayer, in the intimacy of our mind and heart, so that however our life turns in this world, we would always be assured that God has promised to care for us. We should not waste time allowing ourselves to be dominated by worries, sadness, discouragement and the like.

In this regard, it might be worthwhile also to remit another beautiful psalm that can revive our sagging spirit when we feel overwhelmed by the trials and challenges of our life. It’s from Psalm 37, and it goes this way:

“Do not fret because of the wicked / do not envy those who do evil / for they wither quickly like grass / and fade like the green of the fields. / If you trust in the Lord and do good / then you will live in the land and be secure. / If you find your delight in the Lord / he will grant your heart’s desire.

“Commit your life to the Lord / trust in him and he will act / so that your justice breaks forth like the light / your cause like the noonday sun. / Be still before the Lord and wait in patience / do not fret at the man who prospers / a man who makes evil plots / to bring down the needy and the poor.

“Calm your anger and forget your rage / do not fret, it only leads to evil. / For those who do evil shall perish / the patient shall inherit the land. / A little longer, and the wicked shall have gone. / Look at his place, he is not there. / But the humble shall own the land / and enjoy the fullness of peace.”

The psalm might be a bit long but it has helped many people recover their senses after some arduous experiences. It is always advisable that we spend time savoring the psalms because they train us to develop an intimate relationship and conversation with God. The psalms are inspired prayers. The words of the Holy Spirit, our ultimate teacher, come to us through them.

The psalms can be considered as the word of God which has the power to keep us always connected with God and leading us to eternal life as expressed in what Christ himself once said: “If any man keep my word, he shall not see death for ever.” (Jn 8,51)

It would be good if we can meditate slowly on these words to let them sink in our mind and heart, and in our life in general. The Good News is that we are already given the key to eternal life while still here on earth.

Yes, it’s a matter of faith, because the reality that governs us is not simply of the rational and spiritual nature, much less, of our bodily and natural condition. The reality that governs us is, first of all, of the supernatural character, since whether we like it or not, God has wanted and created us in his image and likeness, sharers of his divine nature. (cfr. 2 Pt 1,4)

That is why in spite of our human limitations, we always harbor deep in our heart that desire for a life without end, a joy with no shade of sadness, etc. In other words, we desire a life that is not simply natural, space-and-time-bound.

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com