GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE:24th July 2017
MONDAY OF THE SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Exodus 14:5-18
PSALM: Exodus 15:1-6
GOSPEL: Matthew 12:38-42
THEME: THERE IS A WAY OUT
There is a solution to every problem in life. Sometimes we look far and wide for it but often it is right in our hands. It takes prayer to discover the solution at hand.
In the face of the crisis that had engulfed the Israelites on account of their enemies who were pursuing them, the Lord told Moses, “And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land” (Ex. 14:16).
In our First Reading for today we are told, “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left” (Ex 14: 21-22). Moses thus stepped out in faith and put the word of God into action. The sign of the parting of the sea followed his act of faith.
There are people who look for signs from God but are unwilling to put their faith in his Word. This was the challenge that Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees in our Gospel text. They said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you” (Mt. 12:38), and yet they had no faith in Jesus and were unwilling to accept him.
Just like the Israelites in their exodus, there are moments in life when we come face to face with difficult situations. Right ahead of us is danger (the “Red Sea”) and right behind us is another danger (“our enemies”). However, in such moments, we need not allow the situation to overwhelm us. We have at hand divine authority given to us. As we exercise our faith through prayer, the solution would become evident.
In the words of Paul, “None of the trials which have come upon you is more than a human being can stand. You can trust that God will not let you be put to the test beyond your strength, but with any trial will also provide a way out by enabling you to put up with it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
PRAYER: In the name of Jesus, I declare victory over this situation (marriage, relationships, health, job etc). I declare that I shall not be drowned in the sea of problems. I declare that I shall not be captured and conquered by seen and unseen enemies. With the power of God all around and within me, I shall walk with humility and face every challenge that comes my way with the shield of faith. I shall overcome; I shall conquer, in the mighty name of Jesus. 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).