WEAPONS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Rom 6:12-18; Ps 124 Our help is in the name of the lord; Luke 12:39-48

"present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God as weapons for righteousness..."

We look at the psalm today, psalm 124.  It is considered to be a song of a pilgrim, of someone journeying to the temple.  As the ancient Israelites would journey up to the temple they would recite psalms and hymns in preparation for their encounter with God himself.

Remember the Temple was considered the place of encounter, the place where God dwelt amongst his people.

Psalm 124 is a psalm or hymn for travelers.  The psalm itself acknowledges the dangers and various experiences one would encounter on the journey, exposed to the elements of the natural world but as well as hostility of persons such as robbers and the like.

The consistent message is that regardless of the dangers or roils or snare the name of the Lord was that reality which brought forth security and peace: Our help is in the name of the Lord who is a companion on the journey as the psalmist points out, "had not the LORD been with us, let Israel say, had the LORD been with us..."

The presence and companionship of the LORD changes everything.  We do not go alone.

Through space and time God's protection reigns over us.


Just as God provides for us, we are asked to be providers for others a we hear int he gospel, "WHo, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time.  Blessed is that servant whom the master on arrival finds doing so."

"Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."

We are all called to be providers?

This is what St. Paul suggest when he tells us to use our body parts as weapons of righteousness.

We should not compare ourselves to other but busy ourselves with giving more, for much is required with those who are entrusted with more."

We must learn to live in the more.  We can no longer get by or do the minimal think it leads to happiness or fulfillment.