PatrickPatrick Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Patrick Rushe
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Our hosts take a peek into each of the Psalms from the Bible, highlighting things to look out for and lessons to be learned. In this first series, they highlight the Psalms which will be heard at Mass during Lent.
From time to time, Patrick & Fr. Paddy will look at a special theme or topic.
Your comments, questions and feedback will also inform and shape the show's direction. Please get in touch by email patrickpatrickpodcasts@gmail.com or @patpatpodcasts (Twitter), or by visiting our website www.patrickpatrickpodcasts.com
Thank you.
As we come to the end of the series, we look at what we had wanted to achieve - why we chose to do what we did. Hopefully, you will see some of our aims being fulfilled in this series.
A Christological Interpretation is something that we can identify in certain Psalms. How God will carry out His plan may surprise some, but for those who believe, the response must be one of Praise. "Sing Psalms to the Lord, you who love Him", as verse 4 of this - Psalm 30 - tells us.
We begin with some remarks about Church architecture before moving onto the central question of Psalm 15 - Who Can Enter The Lord's Tent? There's a few conditions, but the main one is that they must be people with God's law written on their heart.
Boney M made this Psalm famous in the song of this same name, but it hides a text filled with raw emotion, and a terrible image at the end. All we can bring to prayer is who we really are - and sometimes that is as people filled with anger, rage, despair, disappointment, and even revenge - this Psalm reminds us that God understands how we feel.
God blesses us in so many ways. But the blessings of creation are highlighted in this beautiful Psalm which pulls us from just 'admiring' God's wonderful creation or 'dominating it' and using it for our own means; to becoming stewards of creation, caring for it and recognising God's living presence there. "Laudato Si" - praise be..
"Into your hands I commit my spirit". These last words of Jesus on the Cross, which we hear on Good Friday are a central part of Psalm 31, but, as we'll hear in the episode, Jesus addresses them to his Father, and that makes all the difference. However, its not what Jesus would do that counts now, but rather, given what we know about Jesus - what will you do?
In Psalm 115, we are reminded about the dangers of being led away from God by idols, some of which can include power, status, or pleasure. The response to these is to root ourselves in a loving trust in our God who acts. By remembering His action we can develop enduring and lasting values in our lives.
The challenge of using human language to describe the utter unknowability of God is clearly seen in the images used in this Psalm - 33 - to describe God's 'heart'. Our words fall short of the reality of God but the call is that we come to know the heart of God through the word of God, the work of God and God's Covenantal love.
We start this episode remembering that the numbering system for Scripture is only a relatively recent addition, and that Psalms would have been known by their first line. The first line of Psalm 18 reminds us that God is our strength; God has our back!. Our experience of God’s faithfulness in the life of David should encourage us that God will be faithful in our trials too.
The topic of time turns up often in the Psalms, and this one - Psalm 90 - reminds us all that while there is a limit to our earthly existence, there is none to God's timelessness. The most important thing is to decide what to do with the time that is given to us.
Joseph, the silent man of the New Testament followed the pattern of the Joseph from the Old Testament (the interpreter of dreams); through whose actions God's covenant is fulfilled. In reading Psalm 105, we are encouraged to seek God in silence and to remember all that God has done for us.
David's Transgression (a deliberate ongoing, damaging effect) is the basis of this very well known Psalm 51, which begins and ends the Psalms of the Lenten season. As always, the reality of our lives, no matter how dark, can be redeemed by 'the touch of God's holiness'.
Psalm 85 is a great Psalm for Lent - it speaks about our need to convert in an ongoing way, and assures us that we can trust in our past experiences of God's action in our lives.
Continuing our exploration of the Psalms, Patrick & Fr. Paddy reflect on Psalm 50, which covers issues like the gathering of the faithful, mindfulness, and the dangers of hypocrisy in religion. Please like, subscribe and share. Also, please feel free to comment – we would love to hear from you.
Continuing to break open this word in the second of the introductory Psalms, Patrick Logue highlights the role of the Anointed One – fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. The faithful follower may find themselves in opposition to the culture of the day, but faithfulness is key. Please send in your comments or questions using the ‘Contact’ Page. Thank you for listening, and for liking, subscribing and sharing.
At last, we make a start with Psalm #1. Patrick & Fr. Paddy discuss some of the main points in this Psalm. It’s about choosing between the two ways. Using the symbolism of a tree planted beside water, and highlights that for those who root themselves in God, happiness will follow. Thank you for listening. Please like, subscribe and share. And let us know what you think, or any other comments you have by contacting us via the website, or on Twitter @patpatpodcasts
King David, The Babylonian Exile, The destruction of the Temple and the Translation of the texts all have a bearing on how the Psalms convey their meaning. Patrick & Patrick explore some of these issues. Please. Like, share and subscribe to join us for this series!
As we look on - horrified - at the tragic scenes being broadcast from Ukraine, our hosts look at the portrayal of war in the Psalms, and scripture, more generally. We finish with a prayer for peace from Psalm 85
In our second episode, we ask those five questions which really help to get into a subject... Who, What, When, Where, and Why...
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In this episode, our hosts, Patrick Logue and Paddy Rushe try and set the scene for what they hope to do with the Psalms Podcast for Lent 2022.