GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 23RD SEPTEMBER 2016
FRIDAY OF THE 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
MEMORIAL SAINT PIUS OF PIETRELCINA (PADRE PIO), PRIEST
1ST READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
PSALM: Psalm 144: 1-4
GOSPEL: Luke 9:18-22
THEME: TIME
The value of a split-second is evident during athletic competitions like the just ended Olympic Games. It takes a micro-second to win or lose a medal. In the same way, whether one would win or lose the race of life depends, to a very extent, on how one manages the time available to him/her.
In our First Reading, Qoheleth, the Preacher, postulates a thesis – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl 3:1). He then proceeds to substantiate his thesis with series of parallelisms (there is a time for…and a time for…). He then concludes his argument with an insightful saying, “He (God) has made everything appropriate in its time” (Eccl 3:1).
Three points can be drawn from the reflections of Qoheleth as expounded in the text under consideration:
1. Expect change:
Heraclitus, an ancient Greek Philosopher is quoted as saying, “the only constant is change” and that “No man ever steps in the same river twice”. In other words, everything keeps changing; the only thing that does not change is change itself. My condition yesterday is not the same as today and it would not be the same tomorrow – “No condition is permanent”. My pain today may turn out to be my gain tomorrow.
2. Seize the moment:
A situation may not appear to be the best but you can make the best out of it. It depends on our attitude towards life. As the saying goes, “opportunity comes but once…”
3. Trust in providence:
Time is under the watchful care of God and all that he does is apt for its time. This calls for trust in divine providence.
There is a time to step into time and a time to step out of time. For now, we are in time but with time, we will all be out of time. Therefore, let us make hay while we still have some time.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to number my days aright and to be wise in how I make use of the gift of time. 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).