GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 8TH JULY 2016
FRIDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: Hosea 14:2-10
PSALM: Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17
GOSPEL: Matthew 10:16-23
THEME: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Whenever I had a challenge solving a question in mathematics, I would always call upon a particular friend of mine, a study-mate, to come to my aid. This was during my teenage years in secondary school. And truly, this friend of mine had a way of tackling tough questions with the finesse of a genius. Having him as a study-mate was exhilarating because there was always a way out of any quagmire.
In sending out the twelve apostles on a mission, Jesus did not hide the truth from them. He made it clear to them that persecutions in various forms await them. However, he reminds them that they would never be alone – “But when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” (Mt. 10:19-20).
The Spirit of the Father, in the above text, is presented as an advocate, i.e. one who comes to our defense in the face of a trial. Therefore, to have the Holy Spirit as a companion on a journey is to have a reliable and a faithful friend.
In the face of challenges, I have come to appreciate the importance of ejaculatory prayers to the Holy Spirit. Examples of such prayers are: “Come Holy Spirit!”, “Holy Spirit, help!”, “Take the wheels, Holy Spirit!”, “Show me the way, Holy Spirit” etc. These are not magic words. They are words of faith and I can testify that the Holy Spirit does not disappoint anyone who turns to him in faith. He intervenes in the face of apparently overwhelming challenges and always provide a way out.
Yes, Jesus does not promise us a journey free of difficulties and hardships when we choose to follow him but he promises us that we would have the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, I thank you for choosing to walk with me amidst the challenges of this earthly life. I renew my trust in you and pray that you would lead me every moment of my life. For the sake of Christ, I pray. Amen.
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)