Praying the Communion Antiphon series Thursday Second week Lent

 Praying the Communion Antiphon Series

Praying the Communion Antiphon series

A Time Set Apart: Thursday Second Week of Lent

Walking the Way

Communion Antiphon (Psalm 118(119:1)
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord.

 

Thinking About the Words

“Blessed…”

This word echoes the Beatitudes. It does not simply mean happiness. It speaks of a life that is aligned with God — a life that rests within His favour.

“Whose way is blameless.”

The word “way” suggests a path or manner of living. Scripture often describes life as a journey: there are paths that lead toward life and paths that lead away from it.

Blameless does not mean sinless perfection. It points to integrity — a heart that sincerely desires to walk with God.

“Who walk in the law of the Lord.”

The law here is not a burden. In the Psalms it is a guide, a light for the path. It reveals the shape of a life lived in covenant with God.

To walk in the law is to allow God’s wisdom to shape daily choices.

And this is prayed at Communion.

The One we receive is the Word made flesh — the perfect fulfilment of God’s law. As we receive Christ, we are strengthened to walk the path that leads toward life.

Lent is not about achieving flawlessness.

It is about learning to walk more steadily in God’s ways.

 

Reflection

• What “path” am I currently walking in my daily life?
• Where do I experience tension between my own preferences and God’s wisdom?
• Do I see God’s law as restriction — or as guidance toward life?
• What one step today would help me walk more faithfully with the Lord?

 

Here in week 2 the theme of paths and direction is quietly returning here again.

Psalm 1 spoke about e person who meditates on God’s Law Day and night.
Now Psalm 118(119) speaks about walking in that law.

It is both a reminder to keep meditating on God’s l.aw but during Lent to walk in that law. This then invites us to ask where we need to take this walk deeper.

 

Prayer

Lord,
guide my steps in Your ways.
Let my heart walk in Your wisdom
and grow in integrity before You.

 

TAKING THE COMMUNION ANTIPHON FURTHER

 

1. Life as a “Way”

In Hebrew Scripture, life is often described as a path or way (derek). It’s not just a metaphor for travel—it means the pattern of one’s life, the direction of one’s choices.

Psalm 118(119) opens with:

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.

The psalmist is saying:

Blessed are those whose whole manner of life follows God’s guidance.

Notice that it’s not about a single moment of obedience. It’s about a direction.

That fits beautifully with Lent, which is about reorienting the path.

 

2. Walking vs Standing vs Sitting

You might remember Psalm 1, which you began your series with:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in the seat of scoffers.

There is a movement there:

• walk → stand → sit

In Psalm 119 the movement is reversed. The psalmist wants to walk in God’s law, meaning to move forward under God’s guidance.

So walking suggests:

• progress
• ongoing choice
• daily faithfulness

 

3. The Law as a Path

Psalm 118(119) is the longest psalm and every section celebrates God’s law. But the psalmist doesn’t treat the law as rules to memorise.

Instead, it is described as:

• a lamp for my feet (v.105)
• a light for my path
• something that directs steps

In other words, the law guides the journey.

It helps someone walk without losing direction.

 

4. The New Testament Echo

When Jesus later says:

“I am the way…” (John 14:6)

He is stepping directly into this tradition.

For Israel, the way of the Lord was the path revealed in the law.
For Christians, the way becomes a person.

The early Christians were even called “people of the Way” (Acts 9:2).

So the psalmist’s desire to walk in God’s law becomes, for us, walking with Christ.

 

5. Why This Matters at Communion

The Communion antiphon places this verse right at the moment when we receive Christ.

It’s as though the Church is saying:

You are about to receive the One who is the Way.

This food strengthens you for the journey.

Lent, then, is not just self-examination—it is learning to walk more steadily in the right direction. Scripture often speaks of life as a “way.” Psalm 119 reminds us that faith is not a single decision but a path walked day by day. At Communion we receive Christ, the One who strengthens us to keep walking that path.

 

We began Lent with Psalm 1—meditating on the law day and night.

Now Psalm 118(119) appears and speaks of walking in that law.

Meditation → Walking.

The Word pondered becomes the path lived.