Recitations

AM Psalm 117, 118 • PM Psalm 112, 113
Exod. 17:1-7 • Col. 1:15-23 • John 7:37-52

In the reading from St. John’s Gospel for today, Jesus’ followers debate about who Jesus is. Is he the Prophet, the Christ who will save the people of Israel, or just some neighbor from Galilee? Paul and Timothy, writing to the Colossians in Asia Minor, answer in lovely words of praise: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; for by him were all things created that are in heaven or in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers: all things were created by God and for him; and he is before all things, and by him all things consist... For it pleased the Father that in him all things should dwell, and, having made peace through the blood of the cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself.”

As a kind of response to these words of Paul and Timothy, our morning psalm for today, Psalm 117, gives us concise words to repeat in praise and thanks to Jesus for being our lord. Do Sunday School teachers still grant stars to stick into our notebooks for memorizing biblical passages? If so—or even if not—, let's memorize the whole of today’s morning psalm:

Psalm 117
Praise the Lord all you nations. Praise him all you people;
For his merciful kindness is great toward us
and the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Praise ye the Lord.

Having learned it by heart and pasted a Christmas star into our Sunday School notebook, let's recite it, reminding ourselves with the first line that, that although we differ on the nature of Jesus, in praising the Lord we are joining a great community of Jews, Christians, and Muslims; and, with the second line, let’s recall our personal reasons for praising the Lord for his mercy, his kindness, and the truth of the good promises he has made to us; then with the last line, let’s lift up our praise so joyfully that we sing:

Praise the Lord all you nations. Praise him all you people;
For his merciful kindness is great toward us
and the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Praise ye the Lord.

Written by John DuVal

John decided to submit this reflection early instead of on Christmas day when it was due. To you, reading it on January 8 or later, he wishes in retrospect a merry Christmas and a glad Epiphany and prays the Lord will brighten your days with his merciful kindness for all of 2022.