Psalm Reflection: The Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

“Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.” - Psalm 113 

One of my favorite images of Jesus is a drawing if Him trying to take a little teddy bear from a little girl. In the image, Jesus is saying “just trust me,” and the girl is replying “but I love it, God.” What the girl does not see, is a giant teddy bear waiting in Jesus’ other hand behind his back.

We hold onto things for dear life, even though God can give us so much more. Letting go involves trust and surrendering control, which we do not like. We are usually trying to gain more control and understanding over our lives, thinking it will make things easier and more stable. You could even argue that every single fear is rooted in a fear of losing control. Most fears relating to death or loss have to do with a loss of our perceived control over our own lives. We do not like it one bit.

What are you afraid of?

What do you find difficult to let go of?

It is often said that the Bible’s most repeated phrase is “be not afraid,” and that it is repeated in one form or another at least 365 times, one for every day of the year. We can interpret that as comforting, but I interpret it as a warning: God had to tell us not to fear so many times, because He knew that following Him would be scary and difficult, seeing that it involves trust, change, and letting go.

This is why the words of this Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm ring true: “Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.”

Does God not lift up the rich? He does, but only when they let themselves be lifted up. Those who are rich have so much they are holding onto they often do not realize they need to let go. Their lives are clouded by too much noise, stuff, and fear of losing everything they have gained. Instead of letting go and being lifted up, they hold on and are weighed down.

The poor have nothing, so they are constantly open to everything God gives. Their hands are always open, because they have nothing else to hold on to. As disciples of Jesus, that is how we are called to walk through life.

We can have money and possessions and relationships and things we fear losing, but we must always keep them placed in our open hands and entrust them to God. The more we cling to them, the more we tend to distrust God and worry He will take things away. Change is inevitable, time and life will take things away from us (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) God, however, is always in the business of giving and blessing. He is always working for our good (Romans 8:28), so we can loosen our grip of control on our lives, even though we may love it, because we trust that God has something even better in His other hand that He is waiting to bless us with.

This week, pay attention to what you are asking God for. 

Are you asking Him to protect everything you have and keep everything the same? 

How might that be preventing Him from pouring more blessing into your life? 

How can you approach God in prayer with trust and abandon yourself to His divine providence?

If your own children, real or hypothetical, were standing in front of you begging for the things they needed, and you also happened to be all-knowing, all-powerful, and completely loving in all you do, don’t you think you would want to endlessly reign down supernatural blessings upon them? 

And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him? - Luke 11:9-13

My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

The only time a parent withholds what their children want is when:

1. the children are asking for something that is not ultimately good for them

2. they are unable to receive it because they are too wrapped up in something else

3. they refuse to accept it

How are you doing those things in your own life? 

A parent provides what their children need without the children asking. In the same way, God desires to provide for you and continues to whether you realize it or not.

Will you let Him? 

What do you need to let go of or surrender so your hands are open, ready, and free to accept the gifts He is giving you?

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

Matt