Sunday 16 November 2025 - Let the rivers clap their hands

Sunday 16 November 2025

Today is Sunday the 16th of November, World Day of the Poor, beginning the 33rd week of Ordinary Time. CalledOut Music sings, ‘Joy’. My Light and salvation, it's You I've got a firm foundation in You, Lord You hold me daily, daily The hope for my soul I'm ever so safe here with You I got Grace everywhere I be With blessings falling on me There's nothing too hard for the God that I serve Tell me why should I be afraid? No matter what comes my way I'll overcome with a smile on my face I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul I feel like dancing, I feel it in my bones I sing, I sing, Lord It feels like a dream 'Cause with You on my team I'm winning Nothing's going to hold me back Nothing's going to stop my praise Nothing's going to keep me silent I'll say it from the rooftops I got grace everywhere I be With blessings falling on me There's nothing too hard for the God that I serve Tell me why should I be afraid? No matter what comes my way I'll overcome with a smile on my face I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul I feel like dancing, I feel it in my bones Joy like a river flowing down, down, down, down… I got joy like a river flowing down, down, down, down… I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul Today’s reading is from Psalm 97, or Psalm 98 in some version of the Bible. Psalm 97:5-9 Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn acclaim the King, the Lord. Let the sea and all within it, thunder; the world, and all its peoples. Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy at the presence of the Lord: for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness. Today we are invited to make a journey as the psalm bursts with joy and praise. Imagine standing within this song of creation, waves crashing in rhythm with a divine symphony. There is movement, life and so much joy! All of creation is invited to join in the praise, to witness God’s presence in the natural world, to hear the music of divine justice echoing through it. What is your first response to this reading? Today is World Day of the Poor, with the theme 'You are my hope’. We are invited to extend God’s justice and mercy to the poor today, and not just today. Where do you see injustice in your own heart or in the world? The psalm also reminds us that the Lord brings righteousness. Perhaps the rivers clap their hands not only in joy, but as an encouragement to acts of service, generosity, and social justice? Where may you bring compassion and love, especially to those most in need? As you listen to the psalm again, perhaps you could dedicate part of this day to notice God’s work in creation and respond with gratitude... Psalm 97:5-9 Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn acclaim the King, the Lord. Let the sea and all within it, thunder; the world, and all its peoples. Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy at the presence of the Lord: for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness. 'Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things.' We find the psalm’s call to joy intertwined with a call to responsibility. But first, in the stillness of this day, share with the Lord your own need of restoration. Rest in God’s presence and give thanks... Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen