psalm 29: the voice of the lord - tuesday 6th week

Today we reflect on psalm 29, our responsorial psalm today.  When something is repeated several times in succession it is because the author wants us to focus our attention on what he believes matters most.  And in this psalm our attention is directed to "the voice of the Lord."   In the responsorial psalm in this mass in which only part of the psalm is read, it is repeated thrice.  If we read the whole psalm, the word the voice of the Lord is repeated six times in a short eleven verses.

What does the psalm say about the voice of the Lord?  What does the psalm say about the owner of the voice?

This is not a still comforting voice.  This is not a soft and soothing voice.  It is a mighty voice, a majestic voice, a voice that rips the forest bare, it breaks even the mighty cedars of Lebanon, the biggest and hardest tree in Israel.  It is a voice that shakes the earth, even Mt. Hermon, the largest and tallest mountain in Palestine shudders at the voice of the Lord.

God's voice is a voice that creates as well as destroys.  God's voice is a voice that does what it says it will do.  This is a voice that disturbs.  At the same time this is the voice that erases our doubts as well as our assumptions and beliefs.  This is the voice that thwarts our plans and at the same time strengthen us in our resolve.  This is the voice, the only voice that overwhelms and silences all other voices.  This is the voice that really matters.  There are so many voices in the world but psalm 29 is telling us that this is the only voice that matters.  Listen to this voice and when we hear this voice we could only shout glory.  Glory meaning -  your voice alone Lord matters amidst the many voices I hear in this world.  Only your voice matters.

Today too as reflect on God's voice and God's mighty word let us also appreciate our words and our voices.  Things in our lives are as they are because of what we say, because of our word, because of what we have voiced out.  You are a Catholic Christian because when your parents where asked when they brought you to church, "what do you ask for this child?"  And they answered, "baptism."  You were forgiven even your greatest sin because you uttered the words, "bless me father for I have sinned."  You are married for life and formed a family to which you whole life and career are all directed because you said "I do" to your spouse.

Words are not just words, voices are not just voices.  The voice of God is full of power.  Your voice too has power.  It may not be like God but it also has a power that can create or destroy.  Be aware of what you say, be aware of what you promise, be aware what you speak or declare.

Today is valentines day.  Many things will be said today not just in voices but in also in actions.  Let us not take lightly our words and our voices.  They can make or unmake, they can create or destroy.