The Responsorial (Psalm 96) says, “Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.” What do we proclaim? In the Mass, during the Introductory Rites, we proclaim the Good News in a brief résumé of the early “kerygmatic” or “heralding” preaching. This is evangelization. Then, in the Liturgy of the Word, we proclaim the “word of God” more extensively, to nurture and encourage discipleship. But a temptation enters here: the natural human tendency to reduce God’s word to moral teachings, to instructions on how to live. Even though based on the teachings and example of Jesus, this can degenerate into a religion of law-observance, in which, for practical purposes, what we do and don’t do is really all that counts. 

Before we go beyond this, however, as we must, we should read Psalm 119: 

Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in theµ law of the LORD… who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. 

Does this Psalm contradict yesterday’s reflection by saying happiness is found in keeping God’s law? No. Not if we notice phrases like “With my whole heart I seek you;” “I will praise you… When I learn,” “Make me understand…” “Let your steadfast love come to me…” “The LORD is my portion…” “You are good and do good; teach me…” “I am yours; save me,” “preserve my life according to your steadfast love.” In this psalm, law-observance is a means to know God, to understand his heart and ways, to enter into the life he alone can give. Likewise, in the Mass, God’s words prepare us to enter into life—not through good behavior, but through union with God in grace. 

In Acts 15: 7-21, the Church decided not to impose Jewish law on the Gentile converts. James said, “For generations past, Moses has been read aloud every Sabbath in the synagogues.” He agreed with Peter that we need more. We are saved, not just by hearing God’s word, or even by basing our human conduct on it, but “through the grace of the Lord Jesus.” All the hymns, prayers, readings, and preaching of the Liturgy of the Word are to prepare us for the mystery to which we surrender ourselves in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, beginning with the Presentation of Gifts. 

In John 15: 9-11 Jesus says the reason to keep his law is to abide in his love: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” This means to live in him as branches in the vine, sharing his divine life. To share in his own act of knowing by the gift of faith. To share in his own act of loving by the gift of divine love. To share in his own intentions, dreams, goals, and desires by the gift of divine hope. It means to “become Christ” by Baptism and the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” which is the “favor of sharing in God’s divine life.” 

“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” The joy of religion is not in the sense of security law-observance gives, but in the life of union with others and with God “in Christ.” 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (#96) says, “Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.” 

Prayer Prompt: In what ways do I live out today’s responsorial psalm? Does my life “proclaim God’s marvelous deeds?” 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #287, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.