GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings) DATE: 8TH JULY 2017

GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)

DATE: 8TH JULY 2017

SATURDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

FIRST READING: Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29

PSALM: Psalm 135:1-6

GOSPEL: Matthew 9:14-17

THEME: HUSTLING FOR A BLESSING

There is a saying that “God writes straight even on crooked lines.” Underpinning this statement is the fact that the plan of God prevails in spite of human frailties and mistakes.

From a moral perspective, the First Reading is a tough one to digest. There are four characters in the text – Isaac, Rebekah, Esau and Jacob. The text brings to fore a human family that is characterised by mistrust, deception and underhand tactics. Isaac secretly decides to bless one of his two sons, Esau, the one he loved (cf. Gen 25:28). Jacob deceives his aged father, and wrests from his brother the father’s blessing, instigated by his ambitious and designing mother, Rebekah.

In spite of the apparent brokenness and weakness of this human family, the plan of God seemed to have prevailed. In Genesis 25:23, God had said concerning Esau and Jacob to their mother, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger” (Gen 25:23).

There is a plan of God concerning each one of us, a plan that surpasses our human understanding. In spite of all the mistakes and sins we have committed, God still holds the master plan of our lives in his hands. As we yield our lives more and more to him, we will come to discover that the events of our lives happen for a purpose.

PRAYER: Eternal Father, may nothing rob me of the blessing that you have purposed to give me today. With childlike trust, my eyes are fixed on you waiting for your favour and grace. For the sake 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).

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