Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. Ps. 146: 5
The meaning of Psalm 146 is that we shall put no one before the Lord. The Lord is all powerful and is the creator of all things. No mortals shall be placed ahead of God. The Lord created the heavens and the earth, and protects all those who have faith in him. He loves the righteous and watches over those who trust in his name. Respecting the Lord is extremely important and praising his name through words and actions is a great way to show trust in the Lord. All things are capable through the power of God. We need to praise the Lord our God forever and carry his name on throughout generations.
In the liturgical year this Sunday of Advent is named Gaudete. At the beginning prayer of the Mass we are told to “Rejoice!” The essence of happiness is to rejoice. We are called to rejoice in what is -- not in pursuit of what we imagine might be. There is plenty to rejoice in, if we will take time to look around us with the eye of faith and love and thanksgiving. We have been assured that “all things work together for good to those who love God.” And it is all the assurance we ever need for permanent happiness. If we wholeheartedly embrace this hope, we shall find God’s great love. We will be like the shepherds seeking the King of Kings. The humble babe in the manger is not a child of poverty but an Almighty King. We are called to grow in a faith rooted in joy. When we perceive with joyful faith, we comprehend just how all things in our life are working together for good. The third candle of advent challenges the darkness, and gives light to our life.
In the Catholic Catechism we are reminded:
Life extends over all beings and fills them with unlimited light; the Orient of orients pervades the universe, and he who was "before the daystar" and before the heavenly bodies, immortal and vast, the great Christ, shines over all beings more brightly than the sun. Therefore a day of long, eternal light is ushered in for us who believe in him, a day which is never blotted out: the mystical Passover. (1165)
We worship Christ who is our light. Our God is a God who is Incarnate. He is Emmanuel God with us.
A Hoban core value is reliance on divine providence. Simply put divine providence represents the present and activity of God. We are the “light” that makes God visible in our lives. As Father Moreau wrote:
"With the eyes of faith, consider the greatness of your mission and the wonderful amount of good you can accomplish. And also consider the great reward promised to those who have taught the truth to others and have helped form them into justice: 'they will shine eternally in the skies like the stars of the heavens.' With the hope of this glory, we must generously complete the Lord's work."
What is the good that you do each day? At Hoban? At home? Who makes Christ visible to you? How is prayer a way God lights up the world?
Prayer:
The Light of God before me.
The Light of God behind me.
The Light of God above me.
The Light of God beside me.
The Light of God within me.
The Light of God behind me.
The Light of God above me.
The Light of God beside me.
The Light of God within me.
From the Prayer of St. Patrick
I feel this is a very powerful psalm about trust and honor. As said above a hoban value is relience on divine providence. It is important that we put our trust in God, and not stress the unimportant things we experience in this life. As this psalm says, only those who trust in God; the God of Jacob, will be set free.
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