Light shines in the darkness
Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn is exalted in honor.
Reflection
Although God's commandments are challenging, sometimes frightful, and impossible to keep; as we turn this love of Christ just a little and notice what Jesus has done for us, we are wonderfully pleased and delighted with the commandments of God.
We would do anything to please God. Just as a child wants to make their parents happy and proud of them, we want God to be happy with us and proud of us. We want God and need God's love. And after witnessing what Jesus has done by living, teaching, healing, loving, suffering, dying and raising from the dead, just for us...we love to obey God!
This act of love in and through Jesus keeps our heart steady and our path straight. We are disciples of Jesus, following him where he leads us. God's commandments are so much more than what we see in the Old Testament, they are now to love God and love others too. What a joy we have in the triumph that Jesus has won for us over sin and death.
Now our vision is clear. It's not about us, it's all about following Jesus. Out of trust, faith and hope in Jesus our Savior we are cheerfully committed. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, you have be trying so hard with me. Help me to obey your commandments. Show me my error. Hear my penitential cry and forgive me. Lead me in joy to follow you. --- Amen
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