O Taste and See the Goodness of Our God
This 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we again pray the Eucharistic Psalm 34. Since the psalm reflects on the 1st reading and frequently connects to the Gospel, different dimensions of the psalm stand out. We hear echoes of Lady Wisdom’s banquet in the psalmist’s joyful claim to “glorify our God” and again with the reminder that the lowly are the ones who really know how to enjoy the banquet and the song. The second verse might reflect Jesus’ own prayer as he tried to entice his fellow Jews into seeing what he saw and into rejoicing in God’s action among them through him. The third verse repeats the invitation to look to God, to allow God to open us to hopes bigger than our dreams. It repeats the assurance that only the poor are open enough for that to happen. Finally, the refrain urges us to be open to whatever it is that God offers, to whatever the bread of this day will bring, and most of all to the bread of life who is Christ alive among us.
I will bless you, O God, at all times, your praise always on my lips.
My soul makes its boast in you; the afflicted shall hear and be glad.
Glorify our God with me. Together let us praise God’s name.
I sought you, and you answered me;
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look towards the Most High, and be radiant;
let our faces not be ashamed.
These poor ones cried; you heard them,
and saved them from all their troubles.
[verses taken from People’s Companion to the Breviary © 1997 by the Carmelites of Indianapolis]