Psalm 116 -The Antiphon for this coming week’s
Introit is taken from Psalm 43:1, Vindicate
me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from
deceitful and wicked men.
This is a prayer of an appeal for God
to hear the petitions of the soul in prayer and to vindicate him according to
his grace. This is our prayer when spoken in faith.
The theme
“life out of death” appears in all three lessons. In the Gospel, (John 11:7-27,
38-53) Jesus raises Lazarus and teaches that he is the Resurrection and the
life. Paul in the Epistle lesson (Romans 8:1-11) teaches that the Spirit will
raise our mortal bodies. It is the Word, which carries the Spirit that brings
new life to the dead. Through Ezekiel’s preaching of the Word, (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
Israel’s dead bones came to life. Jesus raises Lazarus by a word of command, “Lazarus, come out!” The cross is getting
very close. This experience with the raising of Lazarus was the immediate cause
of the Passion. Caiaphas claims that it is expedient for one man to die for the
people rather than for the nation to perish, and that one man should be Jesus.
The result was a concerted effort to bring Jesus to death – premeditated
murder.
Psalm 116 – Paying the Vow of Gratitude
As another
one of the Egyptian Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118), sung by Jesus with His
disciples on the night of His betrayal and arrest (Matthew 26:30 and Mark
14:26), we can say with G. Campbell Morgan: “Whatever the local circumstances
which gave rise to this song, it is evident that all its rich meaning was
fulfilled, when in the midst of that little company of perplexed souls, the
shadows of the One Death already on Him, Jesus sang this song of prophetic
triumph over the sharpness of the hour of passion to which He was passing. He
has made it over to all His own as their triumph song over death.”[2]
Collect
for Psalm 116:
God of power and mercy, through the
Passion and resurrection of your Son you have freed us from the bonds of death
and the anguish of separation from you. Be with us on our pilgrimage and help
us offer you a sacrifice of praise, fulfill our vows and glorify you in the
presence of all your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen [3]
Collect for Monday of the week of Lent 4: Father, Creator,
you give the world new life by your sacraments. May we, your Church, grow in
your life and continue to receive your help on earth. Grant this through our
Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen [4]
March 20, 2023
[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-116
[3] Collect for Psalm 116, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[4] Ibid, Collect for Monday of the week of Lent 4
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