Living Faith: Going the Extra Mile

Going the Extra Mile

In the Living Faith booklet I graciously receive each quarter, I made note of today’s reflection:

Psalm Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131

R. (103a) How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth,
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!

Your decrees are… The joy of my heart… (Psalm 119:111)

I wish I could always say God's decrees are the “joy of my heart." I have a ways to go on that one, especially when they require that I eliminate my desire for a neatly scheduled day and plenty of time for self – satisfying projects. Decrees such as go the extra mile, give them not count the cost, welcome the stranger, visit the sick and imprisoned do not exactly delight my heart when I'm struggling with meeting deadlines of my own making. However, once I have let go of my cherished ones and follow through with action for others I do find joy in my heart.

When I give my carefully guarded time or limited finances to someone in need, I know it is the right thing to do. There is satisfaction in this reality. Psalm 119 notes that God's decrees "are my counselors." These decrees can guide us to live as our best self, nudge us to be the persons of a great love, mirrors of Jesus, our superb teacher.

Sister Joyce Rupp, O. S. M.