Psalm Reflection: The Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

“The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.” - Psalms 98

“I am the law.”

That was the famous tagline of Judge Joseph Dredd, a character played by Sylvester Stallone in the 1995 movie Judge Dread, a movie that was a favorite of my father’s growing up. The film is set in the crime-plagued future, where “Judges,” intense police force members who play judge, jury, and executioner, killing criminals on the spot if necessary. 

When I used to think of the power of God’s judgment, I would think of someone like Judge Dredd. Or more realistically, someone like Judge Judy, a TV personality and real-life judge who had a no-nonsense attitude and evoked fear and decorum in her courtroom.

So when I would hear passages from Scripture about Jesus coming to judge the living and the dead, or those like the Responsorial Psalm this Sunday, they would evoke a sense of fear in me. I would immediately start to feel guilt and shame for the mistakes I had made, and fear that those mistakes would incur the disappointment and punishment of God.

As I got to know the Lord, I experienced His mercy and His compassion. Every time I expected harshness, wrath, and judgment, I was met with love, tenderness, and forgiveness. As I began to read the Bible, I started to hear the truth of who God is proclaimed:

“Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.” - Psalms 46:2

“In danger I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is with me; I am not afraid; what can mortals do against me? The LORD is with me as my helper; I shall look in triumph on my foes.” - Psalms 118:5-7

“Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10

“When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you. For I, the LORD, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior.” - Isaiah 43:2-3a

“What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” - Romans 8:31

“Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.” - Hebrews 13:5

At one time or another, we all need to be reminded of these words. We need to remember that God is for us.

God is for you.

The Hebrew people understood God’s judgment better than we do. We often imagine ourselves in God’s courtroom as the defendant, on trial and facing potential punishment for the mistakes we have made. That is not the case. No, we are the plaintiffs, and God is pursuing justice for us on our behalf. His enemy is the Enemy. He is pronouncing judgment upon sin, death, suffering, pain, grief, loss, and trial. 

Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus not because he forgot he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, but because he is pained by the onslaught of evils that come against us. We are God’s children, whom He loves, and like any good father He will always fight to defend us from evil and protect us from harm. He will provide everything we need and He will always be there to love, guide, and forgive, even when we turn away from Him.

We all need to be reminded of this often, lest we fall into a distorted view of God as a merciless, vengeful God seeking retribution. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our God is a just judge who fights for us, not against us, and He will keep fighting for you every single day no matter how far away from Him you run.

He is the law, but His law is a law of perfect love.

Never forget: God is and will always be for you.

I am praying for you. Please pray for me and my family, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, November 16th, 2025, the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C: Psalms 98:5-6, 7-8, 9.