Taste And See The Sweetness

The Psalms are one of the most beautiful books of the Bible, with a strong tradition of prayer for Jews and Christians alike.
The above photo is from 1929 and shows Jewish Men praying
at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. There’s a good chance
that they are praying the Psalms.
Photo via Wikipedia

Many years ago, I attended a weekday morning Mass at Our Lady of the Angels Church in the Notting Hill District of London.  At the Homily time, the celebrant, a young priest, spoke to us people in the pews, and left us with a simple, but profound thought.  His exact words, as I copied them in my journal that day, were:

“Savor Holy Scripture as a little child keeps a pieces of candy in his mouth – not immediately chewing it and swallowing it, but moving it back and forth in the mouth to gets its full taste and flavor.”

That morning, at the priest’s advice, I took a verse from Psalm 34, “But those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.”  I moved this verse back and forth in my mind and came to see new beauty and light in its splendid message.  Our scriptures are filled with inspired words to relish and taste.  Today’s Responsorial Psalm is rich in flavor.

“Rest in God alone, my soul.”
“He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold.”
“From Him comes my Hope.”
“With God is my safety and my glory.”
“Trust in Him at all times, O my people, Pour out your hearts before Him.”

Open your Bible – especially to the Psalms, for a daily message to savor and taste.  Take one small passage a day and allow the words to move back and forth in your mind as you go about your day’s work.  You could draw immense good and uplift of spirit from this.

Fr. George Mc Kenna