Praying The Communion Antiphon series
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| Praying the Communion Antiphon |
A Time Set Apart: Wednesday Third Week
of Lent
The Path of Life
Communion Antiphon (Psalm 16:11)
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence, O Lord.
Thinking About the Words
“You will show me the path of life.”
Once again Scripture returns to the
image of a path. Life with God is not simply a set of ideas; it is a way
that unfolds step by step.
The psalmist trusts that God Himself
will show the way. The journey is not navigated alone.
“The path of life.”
This phrase suggests more than survival.
It speaks of a life that is fully aligned with God’s purpose — a life that
leads toward communion with Him.
“The fullness of joy in your presence.”
The destination of the path is not
merely moral correctness but joy. In God’s presence life reaches its
true depth and meaning.
And this is prayed at Communion.
As we approach the Eucharist, we are
reminded that Christ Himself is the one who reveals the path of life. Through
His life, death, and resurrection He opens the way that leads us into the
presence of the Father.
Lent is often associated with discipline
and reflection, yet its ultimate direction is joy — the joy of living close to
God.
Reflection
- Do I
trust that God is guiding the path of my life?
- Where
have I experienced glimpses of joy in God’s presence?
- Am I
attentive to the ways God is showing me the next step on the path?
- How
might the grace of the Eucharist strengthen me to walk the path of life
today?
Notice how this continues the thread that
the Church wishes us to observe through the Communion Antiphons in Lent. Earlier
the psalms spoke about walking in God’s law and dwelling in His tent.
Today the psalm speaks of the path that leads into His presence.
Lent is quietly guiding us from turning
back to God toward walking steadily in His life-giving way.
Prayer
Lord,
show me the path of life.
Lead me step by step
into the joy of Your presence.
FURTHER CONSIDRATIONS
The Gospel actually moves one step
further than simply keeping the law.
Jesus says:
“Whoever obeys and teaches these
commandments will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19)
So there are two movements:
- Keeping the commandments
- Teaching them
1. Living the Law
First comes living it.
The commandments are not theoretical.
They shape a life. This links beautifully with the Psalm’s image:
“You will show me the path of life.”
The law is the path we walk.
2. Teaching the Law
But Jesus goes further.
Those who truly understand the law do
not keep it privately. They pass it on.
Teaching here doesn’t necessarily mean
formal instruction. Often it means something simpler:
A life lived with integrity becomes a
quiet witness.
People see the path through the way
someone walks it.
3. The Oath / Covenant Dimension
God’s covenant with His people is not
casual. It is solemn and enduring. When Jesus insists that the law remains
significant, He is affirming the faithfulness of that covenant.
Now something new happens:
The law is not only preserved — it is fulfilled
in Christ.
And those who follow Him are invited not
only to obey but also to hand on the wisdom of that path.
4. At Communion
This is why the antiphon fits so well.
“You will show me the path of life.”
Christ reveals the path.
Those who receive Him in the Eucharist
are strengthened to:
- walk the
path
- and
gently help others discover it.
Jesus goes beyond simply keeping the
law. He speaks of those who both observe it and teach it to others. When we
allow Christ to guide our lives, the path of life becomes visible not only in
our own steps but also for those who walk beside us.
During Lent this time set apart helps us
to notice how the the liturgy moves outward:
- walking
the path
- dwelling
in God’s presence
- forgiving
others
- and now helping
others discover the path as well.
That is a very natural Lenten
progression.
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