psalm 37: greatness is service - tuesday 7th week

I would like to continue reflecting on our responsorial psalm today - psalm 37.  This psalm addresses a problem that bothers us even to this day.  And what is this problem – why is it that those who do evil seem to prosper while those who do good suffer?  This is a question we encounter from time to time, isn’t it?  In this psalm this questioning is condemned because it is accompanied by resentment and envy -  how is it that the wicked seem to prosper, how is it that evil people seem to get the good things in life, while I who go to mass every day, while I who observe his commandments, suffer or at the very least have to do with less?  Isn’t God unjust?

Psalm 37 is a prayer encouraging the good not to be envious in the face of such paradox.  Specifically it tells us to do three things:  First we need to trust in the Lord – God is in control and whatever God does, God has a purpose.  So trust him.  Second the psalm tells us to take delight in the Lord, to find fulfilment in God, to find your happiness in God and not in the things this world can offer.  And lastly, it exhorts the good person to commit his way to the Lord despite the seeming triumph of evil, to commit oneself in doing good because in the end the good will be vindicated, the good will triumph and evil will be defeated.

In effect this psalm is saying stop comparing yourself to evil men and do not envy them even if now they seem to have the good things in life and get the upper hand. Trust in God, delight only in the Lord and commit yourself to doing the good bisan pierdi ka pa, just do what is right.  Find joy in doing what is right.  The psalm says, delight in the Lord.  Be happy that you are serving the Lord.  Be joyful that you are doing his commands.  You may not be as rich, you may not end up as comfortable as others, but you will be blessed.  This is the promise of psalm 37.

In our gospel Jesus tells his ambitious apostles that greatness can be had not by lording it over others, not by power or money or prestige.  Greatness is service, to be of service to others.  Our happiness is not in accumulating, not in hoarding but in giving, in helping, in attending to the needs of others.  So claim the promise of psalm 37 there in serving others.