GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 4TH MAY 2017
THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF EASTERTIDE
FIRST READING: Acts 8:26-40
PSALM: Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
GOSPEL: John 6:44-51
THEME: TAKE THE DESERT ROAD
In the fourth stanza of his poem, “The Road Not Taken”, Robert Frost (1874-1963) writes, “I shall be telling this with a sigh; somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.”
There is a moment in history when God may ask us to take the desert road, if we obey it would make a whole big difference.
Philip was a popular and successful man of God in Samaria. His ministry there was characterised by the proclamation of the Word and a powerful healing and deliverance ministry. Those possessed with unclean spirits were delivered; the paralyzed and crippled were healed (cf. Acts 8:7). In fact Philip is said to have brought so much joy to the city of Samaria (cf. Acts 8:8). His ministry was certainly a thriving one in that city. Then one day the word of God came to him, “Get up and take the desert road, the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” No further information was added. He was to make a movement from a secured place of ministry to a desert route of uncertainty. Thanks to the obedience of Philip, an Ethiopian eunuch received salvation. Indeed, Africa owes Philip a word of gratitude for allowing the Spirit to use him to bless the continent.
The logical flow of life would be to move from “dry pastures” to “green pastures” and then, with time, seek “greener pastures”. However, there are moments when God may call a person to move from a comfort zone to a desert zone. The purpose of this move may not be clear at the beginning and one may simply have to step out in faith. Like Philip, it may be a test of obedience. However, whenever God sends any of his servants to embark on a journey on a desert route, it is because there is a particular mission to be accomplished there. When God calls, he equips. It is only in obedience to the promptings of the Spirit that one would come to know the exact nature and the fruits of the task in question.
In conclusion, we are told that, “As they travelled along the road they came to some water…” (Acts 8:36). Even if the road you are walking on is a desert, God will provide water along the way.
PRAYER: Lord you are my shepherd, I shall not want. You make me to lie down in green pastures. You lead me beside still waters…Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me always. 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)