Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 24, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Tuesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17

R. (8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought not; then said I, "Behold I come." R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. "In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!" R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know. R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. May all who seek you exult and be glad in you, And may those who love your salvation say ever, "The LORD be glorified." R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The responsorial psalm for today, Psalm 40, lifts up for us the LORD’s desire for our righteousness, for our embracing of His laws of love as the pathway to life. Indeed, our love of the LORD should lead us to join with the psalmist in saying, “To do your will, O my God, is my delight.” The law of the LORD is written within us by our creator because we were created in love and love is at the heart of our existence.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I prayerfully seek to discern the LORD’s will for me and for our world? Do I delight in doing the will of the LORD? Do I recognize that in loving well I glorify the LORD?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, always and everywhere throughout our history as humanity and our lives in You, You have called us to love well, to love You and to love one another. You sent your only begotten Son to reveal your unfathomable love to us more fully. Through His teachings and example, we gained a deeper understanding of your desire for us to live as You created us, as daughters and sons. Through His selfless sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary, we witnessed the depth and breadth of true love, love for You, love for us. Send your Spirit to kindle in us the love woven into our being at our creation. Grant that we may choose to love well daily, to follow your commands, to seek deep and loving relationships with You and with one another. Help us to eliminate hatred in our world; help us find a pathway to loving and sustained peace. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.