1. TYPE OF PSALM: Hymns of praise to God
Psalm 65 (64) is a hymn to God for his mercy, for his creative power, for his gifts and care in the fields.
2. READ THE WORD.
Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
You have visited the land and watered it; greatly have you enriched it. God’s watercourses are filled; you have prepared the grain.
Thus have you prepared the land: drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods, Softening it with showers, blessing its yield.
You have crowned the year with your bounty, and your paths overflow with a rich harvest; The untilled meadows overflow with it, and rejoicing clothes the hills.
The fields are garmented with flocks and the valleys blanketed with grain. They shout and sing for joy.
What does the text say?
In the first verses the historical theme of the forgiveness of sins and acceptance in God stands out (cf. vv. 2-5); then, the cosmic theme of God's action regarding the seas and mountains is alluded to (cf. vv. 6-9a); Finally, and it is the part that we sing as the Responsorial Psalm of the Mass, the description of the spring season and the work of cultivating the land (cf. vv. 9b-14) are developed: in the sunny and arid fields in the Middle East, spring rain is like a blessing that comes down from heaven and brings life to earth.
Creator God blesses and cares for the earth, he is like a farmer who grows the grain, preparing the soil, watering the furrows, flattening the clods, and revitalizing the soil with water. Nature becomes a living example of the goodness of God, who beautifies creation, with plants, flowers and animals.
3. MEDITATE ON THE WORD. Does this reading say anything special to you?
The Creation, our world, is beautiful in itself. Nature, animals, each place and landscape are worthy to be admired with everything it contains. Behind everything that exists is the love of God and his generosity; He has given us this beautiful house. He goes out of his way to keep it that way, beautiful and full of life. And following his example, human beings should strive more to care for and love creation. Today more than ever we know the risks of neglecting and destroying nature. It is not only the task of the countries and their rulers, to take care of creation, it is the task of each one of us, taking care of natural resources, working to have cleaner environments that we can all enjoy in the present and future generations.
4. PRAY WITH THE WORD. What do you say to God?
Thank you, Lord,
for all that you have given us to live and admire.
You have crowned the year with your bounty, and your paths overflow with a rich harvest; The untilled meadows overflow with it, and rejoicing clothes the hills.
The fields are garmented with flocks and the valleys blanketed with grain. They shout and sing for joy.
5. CONTEMPLATE THE WORD. How does your look change?
It is worth admiring the creation, enjoying the rain, the sun, the wind, the landscapes. Feeling part of this divine creation, feeling responsible for caring for nature and all living beings. Help to have less garbage in our streets, to be aware that we depend on the fruits of the earth, because we are part of it. We all want to have a nice house, to live and enjoy; Well, we must not forget that the Earth is our home.