He Is Speaking

A Reflection on the Psalm for January 23rd, 2022:
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Psalm 19

R. Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple. 

R. Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. 

R. Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 

R. Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 

R. Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.

Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. 
 


Take a moment to let that prayer sink in… the Lord’s words are spirit and life. 
 


I haven’t always found it easy to listen to the Lord’s words. Although I have always had the Bible in my life (first the children’s bibles with the fun pictures and now daily readings and Ora!), I find that it can seem quite abstract and confusing at times. But, I find that this confusion often comes when I read too passively, taking those words for granted.
 


This psalm has reminded me of the great gift that God has given us through scripture. The Lord’s words are spirit and life, and He is speaking to each one of us through those words. He uses those words to provide us with life, joy, peace, understanding and whatever else it is that He intends for us. His words are for you. 
 


The first time I had really felt God speaking to me through the Bible was years ago, during a tough time in my life. I had been experiencing an all-time low in my experience with anxiety and depression. I was feeling hopeless and tired most of the time. One weekend I attended a local Catholic Youth Conference, not expecting to get very much out of it other than some good talks and fun times with my youth group friends.
 


During this weekend, I was encouraged to attend prayer ministry. Although I didn’t know how I felt about a stranger praying over and with me, I nervously went down to the prayer ministry because I was pretty desperate for any kind of relief from my ongoing anxiety. During the prayer, the lady praying over me stopped and said: “God wants me to tell you this right now.” She opened up her Bible and turned to Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
 


It was the exact thing I needed to hear at that moment, and God knew that. He spoke to me through His scripture in that time to let me know that I need not fear for what is to come, because He has a plan for me. I felt a great weight lifted off my shoulders that day. Although I still experience anxiety in my life, I know that God has my back, and that certainly gives me relief. To this day, I continue to have that scripture enter my life when I need it the most. And, I know in my heart that when I see those words, God is trying to remind me that He intends amazing plans, hope and joy for me daily. 
 


I pray that I may truly and intentionally listen to the Lord’s words, which are spirit and life. Amen.




Megan Noye

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