Week 33 - To Attain Love
Theme: The final note is reserved for love. Love is where it all began and love is what brings everything to completion.
What I may wish to ask:
That I am able to see that living a life of love really is possible and that it is precisely that which gives meaning to my life.
Music: Psalm 111. Matthew Larkin
I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart, in the council of the faithful and in the congregation.
The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour; and his righteousness endureth forever.
The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works, that they ought to be had in remembrance.
He hath given meat unto them that fear him; he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.
He hath showed his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are verity and judgement; all his precepts are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and equity.
He sent redemption unto his people; he hath commanded his covenant forever; holy and reverend is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; his praise endureth forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.
Text for meditation: Psalm 111
Praise for God’s Wonderful Works
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honour and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practise it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
I look back on this season of 33 Ignatian meditations on Friday evenings. Maybe I only attended one or two. Maybe I attended many of them. Where did I encounter God? In a word, a gesture, a piece of music, the silence? Can I give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart for those moments?
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Full of honour and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
The psalmist expresses a deep faith: God has never walked away from us; he has guided us to help us see order in the utter chaos of this world. He has held on to us giving us his unconditional love from the very beginning.
In the times when I was unable to feel this constant presence and unconditional love, what was it that kept me going? What drew me back to the chapel?
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His praise endures forever.
The Psalm ends with everlasting praise and begins with thanking God with my whole heart. A passionate expression of gratitude. How would I like to express my gratitude to God? What would be the perfect place for me to give thanks to God?
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Jesus showed us that living a life of love is possible. We pray that his enlightened example will be a blessing in our own lives and that we may shine out that blessing wherever we may be.
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