GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 5TH JULY 2017
WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Genesis 21:5, 8-20
PSALM: Psalm 34:7-8, 10-13
GOSPEL: Matthew 8:28-34
THEME: THE LORD HEARS THE CRY OF THE POOR
A normal routine of a catholic priest is to listen compassionately to the lamentations of God’s people. As a father (perhaps that is why they are called fathers), a priest would attend daily to God’s children. Some come crying because they cannot pay their school fees; others come because they need financial help to get to the hospital; those with broken hearts in relationships also come with their plights. Others come seeking for ‘shelter’ away from boiling family issues. Sometimes, he becomes the object of transference of harboured anger against God. The challenges/problems of God’s children often render many priests speechless and humanly-speaking powerless with a gentle cry in their hearts: God where are you?
Where is God when trials come? Where is God when things go wrong? Where is God when all is not well with his children?
The scene of Hagar roaming aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba and subsequently leaving her crying child under a shrub to die evokes feelings of rejection, helplessness and hopelessness in the reader of the text. These feelings suddenly change when God enters the scene of the narrative. We are told that God heard the cry of the baby and a messenger from heaven brought Hagar this message: “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not; for God has heard the cry of the boy where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him fast with your hand; for I will make him a great nation.” (Gen. 21:17-18). By this statement, the Lord revealed that he had a plan for Ishmael.
There is a plan concerning each one of us. Plans, however, unfold with time and God is the master of time. The period (i.e. meantime) between where we are now and where God has destined us to be is often a moment when our faith is tested. It is akin to sojourning in the “wilderness of Beersheba”. However, the God who heard the cry of Ishmael still hears the cry of every helpless child of his. Yes there is a plan. Even if it takes time, prayerfully wait upon the Lord. The big problem you see in the meantime would turn out to be your testimony at the right time. Something good is coming your way.
PRAYER: Eternal Father, my heart will not be troubled even though trouble besets my heart for in you I have placed my hope and you have placed me on a solid rock called Jesus Christ. Amen
Fr. 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).