GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 31ST JANUARY 2017
TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(MEMORIAL OF ST. JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST)
FIRST READING: Hebrews 12:1-4
PSALM: Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32
GOSPEL: Mark 5:21-43
THEME: THE ANCHOR
The refrain of the song, “THE ANCHOR STILL HOLDS”, originally written by Lawrence Chewning during a time of trial reads: “The anchor holds though the ship is battered. The anchor holds though the sails are torn. I have fallen on my knees as I face the raging seas. The anchor holds in spite of the storm.”
What do you do when in spite of fervent prayers, things go from bad to worse? In such a time of trial or doubt one needs to hold on to an anchor – that which supports and keeps one steadfast in faith until hope is realised.
At a time when Jairus, a synagogue official, was earnestly praying to Jesus for healing for his daughter, he received a heart-breaking piece of news from some people from his home: “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” Overhearing this piece of information, Jesus turned to him and said, “Do not be afraid; only have faith” (Mk 5:36). Those words served as an anchor for Jairus in the face of a raging storm.
By healing the woman with the flow of blood and by raising the daughter of Jairus from the dead, Jesus has revealed his ability to deal with every difficult situation we may find ourselves in.
When trials hit you and bad things happen to you, remember that ALL is not yet over. Jesus still has a plan when all other plans seem to fail. Let everyone who is faced with one challenge or the other hold on to the anchor, “do not be afraid; only have faith” and keep on trusting. Help is coming. Jesus will do it again in your life.
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).