GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 11TH MAY 2017
THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER
FIRST READING: Acts 13:13-25
PSALM: Psalm 89: 2-3,21,22,25,27
GOSPEL: John 13:16-20
THEME: KEEP GOING
In life’s journey, there are people who will back out or “chicken out”, either silently or loudly, at very critical moments. This can be very discouraging and frustrating, especially when our partnership with such persons is geared towards accomplishing an important project. However, their backing out should never rob us of the vision that propels our mission in life. We must keep going.
We are told in the First Reading that at Perga in Pamphylia (a city in modern Turkey), John Mark left Barnabas and Saul on their missionary journey and returned to Jerusalem. No reason is given for his decision to abandon the mission but it was a decision that did not go well with Saul (cf. Acts 15:36-40). In spite of the decision of John Mark to leave them, we are told in the verse that follows, “They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia” (Acts 13:14). In other words, the decision of John Mark did not stop them from continuing with their mission.
Perhaps somebody may have abandoned you in your life’s journey. It could be due to a misunderstanding on an issue or maybe the person no longer shares in the vision of your life’s journey. It can be a painful experience, but if that should happen we must always remember that life goes on. Like Barnabas and Saul, the vision must still be kept in sight. Keep focus and keep going. The departure of John Mark should never bring you to a standstill in life.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I put my trust in you. You have promised me that you will never leave me alone. Even if everyone should abandon me, I can still count on you. 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)