GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 10TH MAY 2017
WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER
FIRST READING: Acts 12:24–13:5
PSALM: Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6,8
GOSPEL: John 12:44-50
THEME: HERE AM I LORD
St. Catherine of Siena is quoted as saying, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Inherent in this quote is the fundamental truth that God has a plan for each one of us and that when we surrender ourselves to this divine plan, we become agents of change in our world.
The Holy Spirit had a plan for Paul and Barnabas as revealed in today’s First Reading. While the Church in Antioch were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Act 13:2). The Church yielded to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them off. Led by the Holy Spirit, these two embarked on a missionary journey that would set the world of their generation on fire.
It was not Barnabas and Saul who decided one morning, out of the blue, to embark on a missionary journey. No, their mission was divine and a fruit of waiting upon God in prayer.
It is possible to do what appears to be good and receive applauses from people without necessarily walking in the purpose and plan of God for one’s life. To become who God meant you to be, one must spend quality time in prayerful worship and discernment. Perhaps, instead of going about looking for some work to do for God, let us first seek to wait upon God in prayer and then He would work with us to accomplish great things.
As followers of Christ, no major decision in life should be taken without first seeking the face of God.
PRAYER: “Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.”
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen)