Commentary for Sunday 22B
Psalm 14 and Commentary by Dr Noel Donnelly
Psalm 14 offers us a checklist at the door as we attempt to enter God’s company. It is more than mechanically blessing ourselves with Holy Water! It suggests three positive and three negative areas that we can ask ourselves as we prepare for prayer, perhaps even before the sacrament of reconciliation?.
Positively the psalmist asks: as each new day begins, do I plan to walk with my awkward neighbour with improved good intentions? If not, then I can resolve to put things right as soon as possible. Have I been acting justly in my business or family relationships? I must try better here. When I meet people have I always been truthful in what I have been saying? Another good resolution is called for.
Negatively, the psalmist asks about sins of the tongue: not committing slander about someone when I speak? Not casting a slur on my neighbour’s good name? Not deliberately offending my brother or sister in some way?
But the psalmist isn’t finished yet! This examen of conscience is to end with another three points: do I feel critical or even show contempt for folks who do not believe the way I believe? Do I sufficiently honour or associate with people whose devotion seems too “pious” for me? The third in this area is about bribes: do I try to bribe God by praying, “Lord, I’ll do such and such if you grant me this petition?
The psalmist had started off by asking God about the important dispositions necessary for “entering God’s tent”, for coming into God’s presence. God then gives in the rest of the psalm nine or ten suggestions. These are the making of a “just” person.
The psalmist ends by assuring that this just person will amazingly dwell closely with God! Imagine being in the same tent as the Lord! Jesus will echo this closeness even organically present in us, when, speaking of himself as the Vine, he says in John 15.5, “Those (branches) who abide in me and I in them will bear much fruit.” This certainly goes well beyond the lip service that Jesus will condemn in the following Gospel from Mark.
Ps 14: words and music (c) Noel Donnelly. Recorded by Grace Buckley.
Music score pending
