GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 24TH OCTOBER 2016
MONDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: Ephesians 4:32 – 5:8
PSALM: Psalm 1:1-4, 6
GOSPEL: Luke 13:10-17
THEME: JESUS SAVES AND SETS YOU FREE
For quite a number of people, the expression “I am fine” is an instinctive response to the question “How are you?” It has become a formal response to a greeting. However, beyond the rhetoric, there lies brokenness and pain in the lives of many. It is not everyone who says, “I am fine” who is really fine.
In our Gospel text for today, we have a narration of the story of a woman who had suffered for eighteen years under the spirit of infirmity – a bondage of Satan (cf. Lk 13:11,16). The nature of her infirmity was such that “she was bent over and was completely incapable of standing up straight” (Luke 13:11). The description of her as one who was “bent over” on account of a spirit of infirmity portrays the image of a person whose burden was really heavy. As she sat in the synagogue, she heard Jesus saying to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity” (Luke 13:12). Next, she felt the hands of Jesus on her and that was it, she stood up straight and glorified God (cf. Luke 13:13).
There are many people in our world today who continue to experience the power of Jesus to save and set free. Some have been set free from the spirit of occultism, alcoholism, prostitution, armed robbery, drug abuse, depression, pathological fear, acute and chronic illnesses etc. These persons, from first-hand experience, can attest that Jesus Christ makes a difference in the lives of people.
You too may have been carrying a burden in your life for so many months or years. Perhaps, the nature of the burden is such that you have become incapable of standing upright in many areas of your life and consequently have become an object of scorn in the eyes of people. Do not give up. You may be down but you are not yet out. There is hope.
Today’s message invites you to set your gaze on Jesus the healer and to see the possibility of a wholesome change in your life. Do not allow the comment of a “synagogue official” (cf. Luke 13:14ff) to keep you away from experiencing the salvation that the Lord wants to bring into your life today. Focus on Jesus and hear him say to you, “You are set free from your infirmity.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I turn to you for healing and deliverance. Break the chains that hold me in captivity and set me free. 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).