GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 1ST JUNE 2017
THURSDAY OF THE 7TH WEEK OF EASTER
MEMORIAL OF ST. JUSTIN, MARTYR
FIRST READING: Acts 22:30, 23:6-11
PSALM: Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11
GOSPEL: John 17:20-26
THEME: BE WISE
Wisdom is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is a divine ability at the will of the Holy Spirit that enables a person to receive and apply deep insights to issues. The gift of wisdom enables a person to say the right word at the right time in the right place.
Paul exercised wisdom in today’s First Reading. As he stood in front of the entire Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court in the land of ancient Israel, he must have felt like a sheep standing before wolves. He knew very well that any wrong move would spell his doom. In the given situation, Paul chose to be wise. Knowing very well that some of the members of the Sanhedrin were Sadducees and others Pharisees, he said “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” (Act 23:6). This apparently harmless statement resulted in the Sadducees and Pharisees locking up their horns in a dispute of doctrine, and that was how Paul sneaked out of their hands.
The experience of Paul in today’s First Reading brings to mind a piece of advice that Jesus, during his earthly ministry, gave to his disciples: “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves “(Mat 10:16).
Like Paul, there are moments in life when we have to contend with challenges on account of our faith in Jesus. Some of these challenges may come from members of our family, co-workers, friends and even our fellow Christians. In such situations, what we need is the gift of wisdom.
May we prayerfully desire the grace of wisdom during this season of novena to the Holy Spirit: “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you”(Jam 1:5).
PRAYER: Holy Spirit of God, fill me with the wisdom that comes from above and inspire me to make the right decisions today. In the name of Jesus I pray. 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).