Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
“As the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest to settle her young…” (Psalm 84:4a) Maybe this verse from today’s Responsorial Psalm particularly speaks to me now that, as I mentioned in my reflection a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I are considered “empty-nesters.” But I think it’s more than that. The beautiful nest imagery relates to the psalm response, “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!”
Today’s Psalm is called the Prayer of a Pilgrim to Jerusalem, and biblical commentary (NAB) tells us it “expresses the sentiments of the pilgrims eager to enjoy the divine presence.” As the birds find their home, their nest, so “My home is by your altars, Lord of hosts, my king and my God!” And what about us?
Elsewhere, the psalmist uses the familiar poetic imagery of a thirsty deer longing for running water as the pilgrim’s soul is longing for God’s presence (Psalm 42).
We are all pilgrims on a journey to the Living God. Where do we find God’s dwelling place here and now? There are the expected sacred places and sacraments. But what about in nature? What about in all of God’s creation, including every living thing and person we encounter? Do I recognize God’s dwelling there?
How do we make our home, our “nest” in God’s presence? Or, put another way, do we allow God’s presence, God’s dwelling to be our “nest”?
As pilgrims on life’s journey, let us pray for the Spirit’s guidance so that we, too, can join with the psalmist in honestly exclaiming, “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!”
~Eileen Miller