“Therefore I swore in my anger they shall not enter into my rest”

Psalm 95, a magnificent hymn of praise once celebrated in the magnificent temple of Jerusalem, holds a special place of honor in the Church’s tradition; it is the invitatory hymn for morning celebrations of the liturgy of the Word. Members of the clergy and consecrated religious are obliged to begin prayer each day be reciting or chanting this Psalm. The Psalmist warns those whose hearts are hardened and who audaciously put God to the test shall not enter into His rest. The word “rest” is a biblical reference to the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. In addition, the word recalls the Sabbath, the day of rest, God gives his people .For the author of the Letter to the Hebrews, a committed Christian convert, “rest” is understood to be the eternal life which God made possible through Jesus’ death and Resurrection The prayers recited by a priest or deacon at a funeral service comes to mind. “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and let perpetual light shine on him”. Also: “May she rest in peace”.

Let us pray that we enter into the rest of God once our earthly pilgrimage comes to an end!