This week’s passages are
from Psalm 146:1-6 and Luke 7:11-17.
Psalm 146
Psalm 146 is the first of five psalms that the Jewish faith
describes as ‘hallel’ psalms. ‘Hallel’ means to lift up praises to God and in
Psalms 146-150, each psalm begins with the phrase ‘Praise the Lord.’
This psalm emphasizes the need for believers to trust God
completely, and not to wholly depend upon political power or mortal leaders.
Because God is the Maker of everything, He is also the One to whom we should
center our lives by bringing both our praises and petitions to Him. The second
half of the psalm (vv7-10) expresses God’s loving benevolence upon the poor and
oppressed, challenging believers to do the same.
Questions for study and
reflection
How do you praise the
Lord? Does it always take place at church?
Why shouldn't we completely
place our confidence in political leaders, parties, or government? How do we
trust God on a daily basis?
What do you think about
God as the Maker of everything? How does His creative powers affect our
everyday lives?
What current hopes do
you have in your life? Have you asked God to help you fulfill them? Why/why
not?
Luke 7:11-17
This short Gospel story is
remarkable because Jesus performs a miracle that isn't requested. When He sees
the funeral procession and the widow who has just lost her only son, it almost
breaks Jesus’ heart.
Without being asked, Jesus raises
the young man from the dead and restores him to his grieving mother. It’s an
amazing act of compassion and the whole incident causes the bystanders to be
amazed. We are also told that the news about this remarkable event spread
throughout the entire region.
Questions for study and
reflection
What do you think that
the widow was feeling before Jesus spotted the funeral procession? Why did such
a large crowd follow her?
What might Jesus have
felt when He saw the procession and watched the widow grieving? What does this
tell us about Him?
What made Jesus
intervene? What was the effect of the miracle upon both the widow and the
crowd?
How does this Gospel
story affect us today? What does this tell us about Christ’s power over death?
Any other thoughts or
questions?
Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm
5:1-8 & Luke 7:36-50
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