This is the Day the Lord has Made

Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

R (Ps. 118:24) This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good

for His steadfast love endures forever.

“Let Israel say,

His steadfast love endures forever.”

R This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

“The right hand of the Lord has struck with power;

the right hand of the Lord is exalted.

I shall not die but live,

and declare the works of the Lord.”

R This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the corner stone.

By the Lord this has been done;

It is wonderful in our eyes.

R This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I have been reading and reflecting on scripture, in my new ESV bible from the Augustine Institute, much since Covid 19 descended upon us and the Psalms have consumed a large portion of my reflection. 2020 and 2021, to date, have not been something that I care to to experience again in my life time.

Our country has new leadership, like them or not, it maters not, they are in charge for at least four years. And as loyal Catholic Americans, we owe them our prayers for the Holy Spirits's gifts of Wisdom and Prudence, for each of them while in office, at least!

It was a disappointing election for many and a hard-fought victory for others. Never the less our lives go on, and while I was studying and reflecting on scripture, this psalm caught my eye, especially verse 24 which is the response for the psalm in Easter Sunday’s liturgy!

How much better would it be to start our days off, by waking up and before we leave our beds, make a sign of the cross and say ”This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

We can start each day off on a positive note!

No matter what happens to us during the day, periodically we can repeat this response and in hearing ourselves as we profess it, we can also remember the Love our Lord showed to us by dying and rising from the dead for the forgiveness of our sins and to offer each of us the gift of spending eternity with Him in heaven in! God bless our country and the people responsible for running it in a fair and charitable manner.

De Colores!!!

Deacon James Heyman