Week ten of ordinary time

by Andy Bast

It is now week 10 of ordinary time and who knows what week of this global pandemic! Today, I thought it could be helpful to engage with something our family has done over the years (often at our Thanksgiving meal) and recite and meditate on Psalm 136. Here the psalmist recounts the acts of the God of creation, God above other gods, Lord above lords, who chose and sustained Israel. Unique to this Psalm, every verse utters the refrain: “For his steadfast love endures forever.” We too rightly praise the God of Israel who is our God. The people of Israel are the ancestors of all Christians by virtue of our union with Christ. And the repeated refrain is worth repeating over and over…”His steadfast love endures forever.” God’s love is steadfast. It will not be broken. It does not waver like our love. God’s love is not fickle. God’s love is also boundless. It weaves through the events recounted in this Psalm and goes beyond them. God’s love is made perfect in the person of Jesus Christ and extends to us in the real presence of the Holy Spirit who binds us to Christ. 

This week I encourage you to spend time with Psalm 136. Notice how the refrain takes on more meaning as this Psalm progresses. Perhaps you’d like to read it responsively with a friend or your family, or perhaps you’d like to read it slowly - the first phrase silently and the refrain aloud. How might you extend this Psalm into your own life or circumstance? What other deeds of God do you recall this week? What might it mean in events in your life that are terrible? Or what about the wonderful places that God’s steadfast love endures forever?

Psalm 136 - His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and brought Israel out from among them,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

but overthrew[a] Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who led his people through the wilderness,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down great kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and killed mighty kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and Og, king of Bashan,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and gave their land as a heritage,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

a heritage to Israel his servant,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and rescued us from our foes,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

he who gives food to all flesh,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Prayer

Lord of lords, God over all other gods, creator of the universe, your love extends beyond all bounds. You are steadfast and don’t change in the way we do. Thank you for today. Thank you for your faithfulness to our spiritual ancestors. By your Spirit we ask that you make yourself known to us this week. Please show us your steadfast love which endures forever and help us to be bearers of your love to our families, friends, co-workers, neighbors and all we encounter.