GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 15TH DECEMBER 2016
THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ADVENT
1ST READING: Isaiah 54:1-10
PSALM: Psalm 30:2,-6, 12-13
GOSPEL: Luke 7:24-30
THEME: THE SECRET TO GREATNESS
The irony of life is such that there are some who spend all their lives searching for greatness but never find it; whereas there are others who do not aspire to be great but end up being great.
In our Gospel text, Jesus spoke to the multitudes about John the Baptist in these words, “I say to you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Lk. 7:28). The sublimity and superiority of the ministry of Jesus is envisaged in this statement. In sum Jesus offers to humanity what no eye has seen and no ear has heard.
Hard work does not always bring greatness. You can till the soil, give it the best of manure and water but if no seed is not planted, there would be nothing to show. Jesus is the one who has the “seed of greatness” and faith in him is the secret to greatness.
The biggest challenge in the Church today is that there are many who do not have a living relationship with the person of Jesus. Hence they do not experience in their lives the supreme advantage of knowing him. For those who actively and consciously enter into an intimate relationship with Jesus, the restoration spoken of in the text of the First Reading is their portion, “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; hold not back, lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities” (Isa. 54:2-3).
You may appear insignificant in the eyes of friends and relatives but do not let your heart be troubled if you have Jesus as your Messiah. In a divinely appointed time, he would lift you up from “zero to a hero”.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I submit myself under your authority and lordship. Take me and use me for your glory. 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).