Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Psalm 128:1-5. February 9, 2023 - Thursday, 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalm 128 is the ninth of the songs of Pilgrims (Psalms 120-134). It can be divided into three parts related to work, family, and the sanctuary in Jerusalem. It begins with a statement that “blessed are those who fear the Lord." The word blessed is often rendered as “happy”, but in contemporary culture, happiness is often linked with material possessions and the fulfilment of our desires. In the biblical sense, this word suggests contentment and joy.
The psalmist links contentment in life with the fear of the Lord. The phrase "fear of the Lord” indicates awe before the glory of God and reverence for the Lord. Such an attitude leads to a life of obedience, embracing the obligations that spring from the covenant with God. Someone who fears the Lord surrenders themselves to Him.
Most of us look for joy and contentment in work and family. In the world of the biblical author, work was about growing food and harvest was the most joyful event in the year. The whole family could eat the fruit of their handiwork. And unlike in our contemporary world, the larger the family was the better. Having many children was considered God’s blessing.
The psalm was used as a blessing over newlywed couples who came to worship God in Zion - Jerusalem. The Church uses it during the liturgy of the sacrament of marriage. The Fathers of the Church saw in this psalm an allegory of Christ and His bride, the Church. The fruitfulness of the Church depends on her rootedness in Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
At the end of our reflection, we can ask: what happens to a couple that does not fear the Lord and does not consider having children as God’s blessing? What is going to happen to a church that disobeys Christ’s commandment to preach the Gospel and bring people to the life-giving waters of baptism? The blessing that ends our psalm is for a long and prosperous life. But a couple that refuses to have children and a church that refuses to proclaim the Gospel has no future. Instead of becoming a fruitful vine, both become like a withered branch (see John 15:6). Do we want such an outcome for our families and communities?