How to thank the Lord? - Gratitude and Faithful Living
July 21, 2023 - Friday, 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalm 116:12-13, 15 and 16bc, 17-18
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
The psalmist's question in today's psalm, "How shall I repay the LORD for all the good he has done for me?" (Psalm 116:12), invites deep reflection. The psalmist describes a life-threatening situation where the bonds of death encompassed him, but the Lord came to his rescue and saved him. The psalmist called upon the name of the Lord and found deliverance.
In the book of Joel, there is a description of the Day of the Lord, a day of darkness and judgment (see Joel 3:4). Yet, the prophet assures that those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Joel 3:5). Saint Paul echoes this promise, explaining that all who put their trust in Jesus, regardless of their background, will be saved (see Rom 10:12-13). The psalmist's invocation of the name of the Lord brought salvation, and our trust in Jesus has brought us salvation as well.
So, what comes next? The psalmist's response is thanksgiving. He speaks of lifting the cup of salvation and fulfilling vows. As Christians, we associate the "cup of salvation" with the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian life. By participating in the Eucharist, we raise the cup of salvation, expressing gratitude for the love of God evident on the cross.
Regarding the vows, we can relate them to our baptismal commitment. During the sacrament of baptism, either personally or through our parents, we reject the devil and all his works and profess our faith in God. In baptism, we die to sin and begin a new life centred on God and His will (see Rom 6:3-4). Our faith is rooted in the call of Jesus to "follow me." We are disciples of Christ, apprentices learning the art of Christian living. It is a lifelong commitment that we promise to fulfil.
The question arises: How are we fulfilling our commitment as disciples of Christ? It is a question that invites introspection and examination of our lives. Are we growing in our relationship with God? Are we seeking to live according to His teachings and imitate the example of Christ? Are we loving and serving others as Christ has taught us? These are ways in which we strive to fulfil our vows and live out our baptismal commitment.
Ultimately, gratitude and faithful living are our response to God's love and salvation. As we lift the cup of salvation in the Eucharist and seek to fulfil our vows as disciples, we express our gratitude and continue to grow in our journey of faith.