GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 20TH SEPTEMBER 2016
TUESDAY OF THE 25TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(MEMORIAL OF ST. ANDREW KIM TAEGON & COMPANIONS, MARTYRS)
1ST READING: Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13
PSALM: Psalm 119:1, 27,30,34,35,44
GOSPEL: Luke 8:19-21
THEME: DOERS OF THE WORD
A driver is one who drives a vehicle and not just one who has read about driving; a swimmer is one who swims and not one who has received lectures on swimming. In the same way, it is not enough to read the bible and hear lectures, sermons and reflections on it. The Word of God is meant to be put into action, and until we act on it daily we will see no change in our personal lives and in the situations and circumstances we find ourselves in.
In our Gospel text for today, we find Jesus with the crowd, continuing his teaching ministry. Some few verses before our text, Jesus, using the Parable of the Sower, taught his audience the importance of accepting and embracing the Word of God with a generous heart (Lk. 8:4ff).
Now in today’s Gospel Reading, prompted by an information he had received, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you” (Mt. 8:20), Jesus goes another step forward and defines those who are members of his spiritual family, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Lk. 8:21). In other words, it is the doers and not just the hearers of the Word of God who have a place in the Kingdom established by Christ.
I take inspiration from the saying, “watch the way you live your life, for you may be the only Bible someone might ever read.” For a moment, let each one of us ask him/herself: Does my life reflect the core values of the Gospel – truth, faithfulness, love etc? Does my life inspire?
As I think of persons who radically accepted the Word of God and allowed the Word to have a lasting effect on their lives, my mind goes to the biological mother of Jesus who upon hearing the message of the angel said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word” (Lk.1:38).
May we be inspired by her example and that of those who practice the Word of God in their lives, and may we journey with Christ today doing whatever he tells us (cf. Jn. 2:5).
Prayer: Eternal Father, I place my heart in your hands. As I meditate on your word daily, direct my heart and order my steps on the path of holiness. For the sake of Christ, 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).