Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29: Anticipation

The psalmist declares that God has done a wondrous thing: he has chosen to use the one that others have rejected.  The Christian church has often read this text as pointing to Jesus. While potentially satisfying, such an anachronistic approach isn't appropriate.  The psalm should be read on its own terms.  When we do that, we find a testimony to God's power and his love.  The psalmist reminds us that God isn't bound by the standards of the world; those we might reject as unsuitable can be just the one's to do God's work.  We can take heart from this good news for there will be times in our lives when we will feel like the rejected stone.  At those moments, God may be sizing us up to be the cornerstone for some new work of divine love and mercy.  Keep this in mind as you enter in Holy Week.  Draw strength from this knowledge of what God can and does do with us and then honestly and forthrightly engage in reflection, repentance and renewal.

118:1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
118:2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."
118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
118:20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
118:21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
118:23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
118:25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
118:26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
118:27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
118:28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
118:29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

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