GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 12TH SEPTEMBER 2016
MONDAY OF THE 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: 1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33
PSALM: Psalm 40:7-10, 17
GOSPEL: Luke 7:1-10
THEME: ONLY SPEAK THE WORD
The search for miracles has led some people to do crazy things. Many miracle-seekers have ended up as victims in the hands of charlatans. Some have been made to eat grass like sheep and drink filth like ducks. Others have been made to lie on the ground and so-called “men of God” have trampled upon them.
The centurion, in our Gospel text, shows us what really brings miracles – Faith in the word of God. Here was a non-Jew desiring healing for his servant. Knowing very well that it would be considered unclean for a Jew to enter the home of a gentile, he sent messengers to Jesus saying, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed” (Lk. 7:6-7). He placed his faith in the Word and in the last verse of our text , we are told, “When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant in good health” (Lk. 7:10).
In Psalm 119:130, we read, “The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” It took the Word of God to bring light to the universe (cf. Gen. 1:3) and it takes the same Word of God to bring light into any situation. No matter how dark your situation might be, faith in the word of God will turn things around in your favour.
Perhaps, rather than chasing “miracle-workers”, let us chase the word of God and miracles will chase us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. As I take your word to heart this day, cause something new and beautiful to happen to me. Amen
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).