Rising with Our Lord This Easter Season at Work With the Help of This Psalm - 6

We continue with our special meditation on Psalm 118 (Protestants have it as Psalm 119).Our hope is that we can refresh all we do for the greater glory of God.

Psalm 118 plunges us into "the law." Our minds and hearts reach out to God to seek to know His ways. From the law and our knowledge of God's way all of the good within us comes alive. Indeed, we come alive.

As we work our way through each section of this astounding psalm, we'll see how its words can help us in our work, to further hone our daily activities that they serve God even as we serve those to whom we owe an honest day's work.

It's the perfect way to pray and work (ora et labora) our way through this glorious Easter Season.

 CAPH

81 My soul hath fainted after thy salvation: and in thy word I have very much hoped. 82 My eyes have failed for thy word, saying: When wilt thou comfort me? 83 For I am become like a bottle in the frost: I have not forgotten thy justifications. 84 How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 85 The wicked have told me fables: but not as thy law. 86 All thy statutes are truth: they have persecuted me unjustly, do thou help me. 87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I have not forsaken thy commandments. 88 Quicken thou me according to thy mercy: and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

The petitioner in the Psalm expresses an overwhelming devotion here. While such emotions may not accompany us to our work all day each day, they can give us a boost if we make sure we take little mental breaks during the day. We can pray short aspirations or simply acknowledge God's Presence. The Psalmist also refers to those who would persecute him unjustly and spread falsehoods. We may know such people. Possibly they're in our workplace. And possibly we've been a target from time to time. 

It could be because the perpetrator thinks that undermining or demeaning us will boost their standing, somehow advance they're career. We're the competition. 

Or it could simply be that such people harbor evil intent towards everyone. Who knows? In any case, they ignore the commandments. 

The recent COVID Mess brought out the worst of this pandering of falsehoods and persecution on a mass scale. Some of us had to deal with this in jobs that demanded being jabbed simply in order to work. But even in these latter days, those who reject God's commandments continue their wiles. At the least, we may simply find those around us living as if God did not exist.

The workplace may not be the proper venue to openly proselytize, but we can at least provide the good example that comes from one who obeys God's commandments. 

LAMED

89 For ever, O Lord, thy word standeth firm in heaven. 90 Thy truth unto all generations: thou hast founded the earth, and it continueth. 91 By thy ordinance the day goeth on: for all things serve thee. 92 Unless thy law had been my meditation, I had then perhaps perished in my abjection. 93 Thy justifications I will never forget: for by them thou hast given me life. 94 I am thine, save thou me: for I have sought thy justifications. 95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood thy testimonies. 96 I have seen an end to all persecution: thy commandment is exceeding broad.

It would behoove us to recognize from time to time during our busy work day that our very existence comes from and is sustained by God. Yes, our work is important. And we perform it diligently. But we are only given the opportunity to do so by a Father Who created us and keeps us in this life according to His Will. Each breath we take is given to us for a purpose. Such thoughts, even if we can only muster them briefly from time to time, put our work day, even our entire existence into context.

We become targets of truly wicked people because of the profession of our faith, or more likely simply because our example demonstrates our devotion to God and His commandments. Face such people with the understanding that ultimately God and His commandments will prevail. We may suffer from such people, either directly or simply having to be near them. But, of course, we know that suffering will always visit faithful Catholics. With the Psalmist, we will see the end of any and all persecutions. 

The God Who created us and who sustains us in this life, according to His Will, will provide the grace we need to keep His commandments in the face of any persecution and suffering. 

 

Happy Easter!