Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 126 with Augustine – SowMercy and Reap Peace Those who sow with tears, will reap with songs of joy (v. 5). In this life, which is full of tears, let us sow good works. Works of mercy are our seeds: seeds of which the apostle Paul says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9). Speaking of giving itself, he says, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly” (2 Cor 9:6). Whoever sows plentifully, will reap plentifully; and whoever sows nothing, will reap nothing. Why do you long for large estates, where you may sow plentifully? There is not a wider field on which you can sow than Christ, who desires for us to sow in him. Your soil is the Church; sow as much as you can. But—you object—you do not have enough to do this. Have you the desire? What you have would be nothing, if you did not have a good will. So do not lose confidence because you have nothing, if you have a good will. Sow mercy and reap peace. Zacchaeus had a strong will; Zacchaeus had great charity (Luke 19:1–8). Did that widow who cast her two coins into the treasury, sow little (Luke 21:1–4)? No, she sowed as much as Zacchaeus. For she had fewer resources, but an equal will. She gave her two coins with as good a will as Zacchaeus gave half of his estate. If you consider what they gave, you will find their gifts different; if you look to the source, you will find them equal; she gave whatever she had, and he gave what he had. Even beggars whose profession is asking for money have something to offer one another in times of trouble. The one who can walk lends their feet to the lame. The one who can see lends their eyes to the blind. The one who is young and healthy lends strength to the old or the weak by carrying them.