GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 6TH APRIL 2017
THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT
FIRST READING: Genesis 17:3-9
PSALM: Psalm 105:4-9
GOSPEL: John 8:51-59
THEME: COVENANT-KEEPING GOD
In a world where many tell lies to have their way and promises made are not kept, some people have lost faith in the words of human beings and unfortunately project their loss of faith even unto the Word of God. However, God is not a human being that He should lie. He watches over every word of His to fulfil it. Even if the fulfilment of His promise appears to keep long per human reckoning, it is always on time per divine arrangement.
Our First Reading gives an account of the covenant that God made with Abraham. A key component of the covenant was God’s declaration to Abraham, “I will make you the father of a multitude of nations” (Gen 17:5). Thousands of years passed after that declaration. Now in today’s Gospel text, Jesus would say “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad” (Jn 8:56). Jesus thus presented himself as the fulfilment of the promise made to Abraham. Rightly so, through his blood, Jesus “bought people of every race, language, people and nation” (Rev. 5:9).
In fulfilling the covenant made to Abraham, God has established himself as reliable and faithful. What it means is that we can count on the Word of God. Human beings may have made promises to you and failed to honour them but whatever God has said concerning you will certainly come to pass.
Jesus says, “Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death” (Jn 8:51). Have faith in the Word of God and abundance of life shall be released into every facet of your life.
PRAYER: Lord God, I place my faith in your word. Let me never be put to shame; for the sake of the name 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).