Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
This psalm was written for a feast day. There are musical instruments ready, voices raised, and probably food being prepared. It’s likely to be the feast of the Tabernacles mentioned in Leviticus 23.33–43 and Deuteronomy 16.13–17 because of the references to the Exodus and the emphasis on the Law and listening to God. During this feast the Israelites lived in tents for seven days in order to remember when God personally led them through the Sinai desert and provided for their daily needs (with manna, quail and water from a rock). They also remembered the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Jews celebrate this festival to this day; it's called ‘Sukkot’.
My favourite verse, ‘Open your mouth, and I will feed you’ (verse 10b) makes me a) hungry and b) marvel at how nurturing and personal our God is. Christians believe that God has dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ, who is ‘the bread of life’ (John 6.35) and that God dwells or ‘tabernacles’ with us in our hearts by his Holy Spirit (John 14.15–17, 1 Corinthians 6.19–20). The question this then raises may be: how eager are we to be fed and nourished?
I want my answer to be an insatiable hunger such as that captured in that great Welsh hymn ‘Bread of heaven’ but I know that I mostly fall short in a similar pattern to the grumbling Israelites in the desert.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your closeness to us. Please feed us and sustain us at this time and always. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
This reflection was written by Katy Dorrer, Catholic Scripture Engagement Officer at Bible Society
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