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

“In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.” - Psalms 90

I went to Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead, CA. It is one mile above sea level and rests on a mountain side plateau overlooking the inland empire of Southern California. I did not appreciate the beauty of it as a teenager nearly as much as I do now, but there were still a few parts of the campus that were my “happy place.” 

I would cross the highway in front of school and climb up on a small rock formation on the edge of the mountain and sit, letting the sound of the wind drown out the noise around me and inside my tumultuous teenage mind. On some occasions I would even sneak up onto the roof, and lay down so when I looked up, all I could see was the blue sky and feel like I was floating in it. 

In many ways, it was my refuge, a safe place where I could get away and think or be alone when life was confusing, difficult, or stressful. 

In every chapter of my life I have had a place like this, somewhere I could go to get away from everything and everyone to think, to be quiet, to pray, or just to be.

The Psalmist this week reminds us that in every season of life, God is our refuge. He is our safe, happy place where we can seek joy, peace, comfort, consolation, and purpose no matter the circumstances of our lives. This Psalm is one of a few that are attributed to Moses, who found refuge in God throughout the course of his life.. 

God protected Moses from being slaughtered and thrown into the Nile river as a child. God allowed Him to gain favor in Pharaoh’s house.

God protected Him when He fled to the desert in fear of the repercussions of his actions in Egypt. 

God provided Him with a family and work in the desert.

God called Him to go back to Egypt, giving Him power and authority to perform signs of divine power.

God preserved Him and the Hebrew people from the Egyptians’ attempt at retaliation by parting the Red Sea and giving them safe passage.

God guided them through the desert as a pillar of smoke and fire.

God led them to the Promised Land.

God was their refuge in every age and in every season.

The same is true for you and I. We will never stop needing the Lord. We will never suddenly arrive at holiness in this life or to a place where we no longer need the Lord. In every moment of our lives, we need God to be our refuge.

When we are children, He is a source of safety and joy.

When we grow and start to make decisions, He gives us discernment and direction.

When we struggle or suffer loss, He is our comfort and our peace.

When we do not know what to do, He gives us encouragement and hope.

When we reach the end of our lives, He is our eternal refuge.

God is not a boss that we are subservient to, or a judge we are trying to appease. He is a loving Father who wants to protect us, love us, guide us, and be a safe place for us to come when we are in need.

As His children, we need to humble ourselves and realize that we will never stop needing Him. We need to dismantle the lies, beliefs, and false assumptions that tell us that we can get through life on our own. We need to turn away from our pride and self-righteousness to remember that there is a God, and we are not Him.

We will never stop needing You Lord. In every age, you have been, are, and will continue to be our refuge.

• What are the “happy places” or refuges in your life where you’ve felt safe, peaceful, or close to God? How have these places helped you through challenging times?

• How has your understanding of God as a refuge evolved through different stages of your life—childhood, adolescence, adulthood?

• Moses found refuge in God throughout his life, from his infancy to leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. In what ways has God been a refuge for you in moments of fear, uncertainty, or transition?

• What lies or false beliefs might be preventing you from fully relying on God as your refuge? How can you surrender these to Him?

• How can you create a “refuge” for others in your life—a space where they feel safe, loved, and supported, just as God does for us?

• When life feels chaotic or overwhelming, what practical steps can you take to turn to God as your refuge instead of relying on worldly distractions or solutions?

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, September 7th, 2025, the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C: Psalms 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17.