Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Recently the 8:30 Mass choir learned a new responsorial psalm which brought delight to the choir and congregation as well. The Psalm is today's: “The Lord takes delight in his people.” I think we get a taste of that when we “get it,” or when we can tell we are praying the music rather than just singing it. 

If we are to understand the Psalm as responding to the first reading, then I think it is fair to say God delights in God’s people in particular places and times. We get the disciples’ travel itinerary of four cities, and the name of Lydia’s hometown as well. God is in those places. Then we are told that God opened Lydia’s heart to receive the good news of Christ. God was there, in her heart, and in the events, practices, and relationships that had prepared her to receive. She immediately wants to pay that forward, by offering hospitality to the disciples. Today, let us with God take delight in God’s people, and pay it forward!