Universal Praise From a Catholic People

Universal Praise from a Catholic Church

“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” 
– Psalm 113:3

The Psalmist lifts our eyes beyond the borders of our own congregation, nation, or generation in Psalm 113. As the sun rises in one part of the world and sets in another, the praise of Yahweh is never meant to cease. This verse anticipates the worldwide kingdom of Christ, in which men and women “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9) gather to worship the one true God. The church is catholic—not Roman Catholic, but universal—united across continents, cultures, and centuries by a common faith in Jesus Christ. Every Lord’s Day we join our brothers and sisters in the chorus of praise that began long before our time and will continue until Christ returns.

This truth should enlarge both our worship and our prayers. We are not isolated believers but members of Christ’s one body, joined to faithful saints across the globe who confess the same gospel and gather around the same ordinary means of grace—the preaching of the Word, the sacraments, and prayer. As we praise God in our gatherings, we do so alongside brothers and sisters worshiping in different languages, under different circumstances, because we possess the same Savior and hope in faith. Let Psalm 113:3 remind us that our worship is part of a worldwide testimony to the glory of God, as the name of the Lord is exalted from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Additional Readings:  Psalm 67
                                      Ephesians 2:11-22

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does remembering that you belong to Christ’s worldwide church change the way you approach worship, prayer, and fellowship within your own local congregation?
   
2. What is one practical way you can cultivate a greater concern for the spread of Christ’s kingdom by praying for, encouraging, or supporting believers and gospel ministry beyond your own community?