Speak Lord: God our King

The responsorial psalm at Mass tomorrow, the 5th Sunday of Easter has the Church bless God’s name for his goodness, compassion and mercy. It has us look forward to when all creation will acknowledge God’s goodness and return to his loving rule.

 

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.
or
Alleluia!

The Lord is kind and full of compassion,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all,
compassionate to all his creatures.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,
and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign
and declare your might, O God,
to make known to men your mighty deeds
and the glorious splendour of your reign.

Yours is an everlasting kingdom;
your rule lasts from age to age.

Psalm 144:8-13

In a week where we have, many of us prayed, that our earthly monarch will long reign after us, we now also pray for that reign and rule of God: a reign of infinite extent and infinite goodness.

Sometimes accepting the rule of another seems to be about the limiting of our freedom. In the case of God’s rule it is there that we find our freedom.

• Freedom for what?
• And from what?

Statue of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Cathedral of St Pierre, Lisieux. (c) 2014, Allen Morris

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