GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2017
THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: 1 Colossians 1:9-14
PSALM: Psalm 98:2-6
GOSPEL: Luke 5:1-11
THEME: DO WHAT HE SAYS
Life can sometimes be full of frustrations. They may surface in marriages, families, education, jobs and other spheres of life. These are moments when things do not go as expected and we are inclined to “wash our nets” and fold up.
Peter and his partners had worked all night without catching anything – their expected goal for going fishing that night had not been achieved. In fact, they had given up any hope of catching fish that night. They had come back to the shore and were washing their nets. Then comes the test of faith –Jesus said to Peter: “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (Lk. 5:4) Peter could have made an excuse with his initial premise that they had worked all night without catching anything; however, he revealed the depth of his faith when he said: “…But at your word I will let down the nets” (Lk. 5:5). His faith in the Word of the Lord was rewarded with an overwhelming catch — a miracle.
Faith is not just about reciting a creed. Faith is not a leap into the unknown and leaving everything to chance. True faith is doing what the Lord says even if it does not appear to make sense to the human mind. Genuine faith is holding on to the Word of One who does not promise and fail. When the Lord speaks, you can trust that he will not disappoint. Yes, everything is possible for one who has faith (Mk. 9:23).
With advancement in modes of acquiring knowledge, many modern men and women deceptively think they are wiser than the Lord. They argue that if it does not make sense, then it is not possible, forgetting that faith is always one step ahead of the human sense.
Perhaps, you are going through a time of frustration in your life. Take heart and look at the shore of your life. Jesus is standing right near your boat. All he asks of you is to do whatever he tells you (Jn 2:5). Something good will happen. He will bless you and give you a big testimony.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I pray for the grace of fruitfulness and abundance. I yield to the power of your Word and with faith I put out into the deep and lower my nets for a catch. Give me an overwhelming “catch” that your name may be glorified in my life. 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).