Today’s first reading and gospel are great readings to ponder. What caught my heart today is the responsorial psalm. Come before the Lord with joyful song. Occasionally, our nine-year-old granddaughter walks around singing a song titled “The Lord is good to me.” Her voice is sweet and cheerful, and uplifting.

I ask you to go back and reread the responsorial psalm. Do we serve the Lord with gladness? Do we come into the presence of the Lord with joy? Do we enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise?

The world around us, in general, or personally, can sometimes be heavy and have heart aches. I get it; I know. My wife had cancer. I had a rare disease for seven years. We had a wayward son, car wrecks, a robbery that took our prized possessions, my work license revoked for nine months, and more. I understand trials and demanding circumstances. This psalm doesn’t say to come with joy when life is good; it says to come to the Lord with joy…period. Enter his gates with thanksgiving. Don’t rush this devotional time with the Lord this morning; please take a moment and read Saint Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (5:16-18). It always makes me smile.

Listen to Saint Peter Julian Eymard: To love one’s present state and to sanctify its pains and sacrifices, that is what Jesus loves above all, and so be happy with the will of Jesus.

Let Us Pray:

Dear heavenly Father, help us to be joyous and thankful for who you are and what you have done for us…especially at the cross. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.