30th Sunday 2017

Psalm 18, Matthew 22:34-40

Impending doom is about to befall our psalm-singer, David: cords of death wrap around him, torrents of perdition dismay him, cords of Sheol encircle him, traps of death are sprung. The language he uses to describe the freedom the Lord initiates for him is centered on the word yasha. Various commentaries make the following statements about the word:

To be in distress is to be in a tight spot (4).
The words for salvation and distress here include notions of the spaciousness and narrowness (4).
The phrase “brought me forward into a broad place” is based on the root meaning make wide which is also the Hebrew word for save (5, 2).

Like David, after the Lord rescues and saves us from traps and tight spots, we are brought into a broad place. The word yasha, (which includes variant names such as Joshua, Yeshua, Jesus) involves the activities of saving and widening.

When Jesus is asked which law is the most important, He refers to Deuteronomy 6:5 which exhorts us to love the Lord with all our heart, all our soul and all our strength. The Catechism of the Catholic Church suggests loving the Lord is wired into our being; so while it may be unintentional or unconscious, loving God is instinctual and compelling. Jesus follows this commandment with a reference to loving our neighbor as ourself. Jesus’ words in this gospel moment may seem a bit fluffy and easy; we like to be loved and to be loving towards others.

Whether or not He’s contemplating this psalm in particular, Jesus knows the rich meaning of His name. He is aware He will rescue us from snares and distress, but He also recognizes this is only Part 1. The Lord understands this action of rescue on His part will involve bringing us into a ‘broad place.’ Not everyone wants to be brought out to a ‘broad place.’

This Part 2 is an essential element of the gospel exhortation to love; it is an invitation to allow the Lord to consistently and constantly widened our hearts and minds.

Journal Questions:

What traps and ensnares me; gender, my job, locale, family, finances? What limits me?
How does the nuance of Jesus’ name, suggesting not only saving, but broadening resonate with me?
Have I responded to this gospel invitation with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength? In other words, how have I RSVP-ed?

References: Refer to blog post entitled Resources

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