God, You Are My Light and My Salvation
The land of Zebulun and Naphtali, referenced in the 1st reading and gospel, was full of darkness and abandoned by God because it had been conquered by the Assyrians. When the land was returned to the Judean kingdom, the people praised God for bringing them out of the darkness of oppression into the light of freedom. In singing Psalm 27, we join Isaiah and Matthew in proclaiming Jesus as the Light of Salvation to the world. Darkness exists in our world under the guise of war, evil, health struggles, crises. In praying Psalm 27, we reveal our desire “to dwell” in God’s house by following Jesus and participating in his mission. May we pray for the grace of recognition and understand the words we pray.
God is my saving light; whom should I fear?
God is my fortress; what should I dread?
O God, listen to me; be gracious, answer me.
Deep within me a voice says, “Look for the face of God!”
So I look for your face, I beg you not to hide.
Do not shut me out in anger, help me instead.
Do not abandon or desert me, my savior, my God.
I know I will see how good God is while I am still alive.
Trust in God. Be strong. Be brave. Trust in God.
[verses adapted from The Psalter © 1995, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.]