GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 14TH DECEMBER 2016
WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
(MEMORIAL OF ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS)
1ST READING: Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25
PSALM: Psalm 85: 9-14
GOSPEL: Luke 7:18-23
THEME: THE LIFE-CHANGING GOSPEL
We had just ended a week-long spiritual programme in Dar es Salaam. As I sat with the organisers of the programme, thanking God for the grace given, we spontaneously shared stories of how the Gospel had brought about changes in our own personal lives.
One shared how a previous life of armed robbery had led him to jail and how giving his life to Jesus had brought him freedom. Another narrated how he overcame alcoholism when he turned over his life to Christ. For another, a life of emptiness and pain had suddenly become a life of unending joy because of a new-found relationship with Jesus. As we took turns in sharing our stories, we affirmed that indeed the Gospel of Jesus is a life-changing one.
John the Baptist had prophesied that the messiah was coming (cf. Lk 3:16) and in fact had even baptized him (cf. Lk. 3:21-22). However, in today’s Gospel text, he seeks confirmation from Jesus with the question “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Luke 7:18). Jesus tells the two disciples sent by John the Baptist, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Luke 7:22-23).
The response of Jesus serves as a yardstick for assessing his messianic identity and the purpose of the Gospel. Jesus makes a difference in the lives of people. His Gospel brings about renewal and revival.
The season of Advent offers us an opportunity to be transformed by the life-changing Gospel of Jesus. No matter how dark and hopeless your situation may look like, when you give Jesus a chance, he would turn things around.
Every now and then I receive testimonies from people that point to the fact that Jesus is a life-changer. If you have not offered him a place of honour in your life, why not give him a try this Advent? You will certainly not regret your decision.
Prayer: Come into my heart Lord Jesus; come in today; come in to stay. 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).