GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 9TH FEBRUARY 2017
THURSDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Genesis 2:18-25
PSALM: Psalm 128:1-5
GOSPEL: Mark 7:24-30
THEME: LONELINESS
She appeared unusually quiet that day sitting all alone under one of the trees. I drew closer to find out if everything was alright with her. Her response was straightforward, “Loneliness is killing me…I need to marry before the end of the year…” She got up from her seat and off she went in search of a partner. Yes, with a great sense of determination she found one and not long afterwards got married. About five years later, our paths crossed again. I asked her how she was faring. She responded, “I feel more lonely right now than when I was lonely.” Grammatically, her response may rouse a wink of the eye but substantially, she was communicating something deep. There are many married persons who, in spite of sharing the same house and bed with their partners, are living lonely lives. Partners are easy to find but it takes a miracle to find a suitable partner.
In the Book of Genesis, we read, “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him’” (Gen. 2:18).The quest to get a suitable partner for the man was divine in character and it took a miracle for the mission to be accomplished – “So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh” (Gen. 2:21). When the divine action was completed, the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh…” (Gen. 2:23).
The counsel I often give to lonely people, whether married, single or celibate is the option of spending at least one hour before the Lord in prayerful silence every day. Just sit in His presence and let Him work on you. For those who are Catholics, a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament is perfect. Even if you feel you have already made the wrong choice and your partner is unsuitable, just spend ample time daily in the presence of the Lord and allow Him to work on you. With time, the miracle unfolds – loneliness gradually gives way to the experience of belongingness and acceptance, and meaningless lives become meaningful.
God alone knows how to deal perfectly with the feeling of being alone. Daily yielding to the power of God has revived the drooping spirits of many and has made life worth living. Do you feel lonely at this point in time in your life? Why not turn to the Lord? He is waiting for you. He will work on you and do something new in your life.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I give you all my frustrations and the feeling of anguish that has engulfed me. Touch my world and light it with your love. 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).