GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 11TH NOVEMBER 2016
FRIDAY OF THE 32ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(MEMORIAL OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP)
1ST READING: 2John 4-9
PSALM: Psalm 119:1,2,10,11,17,18
GOSPEL: Luke 17:26-37
THEME: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
No worker goes to a construction site expecting a piece of building block to fall on his head and yet they would wear helmets, safe working boots and other appropriate clothing and accessories to guarantee their protection in the event of the unexpected.
Luke, in our Gospel text for today, offers us what is technically referred to as flashbacks in a narrative. He rekindles our memories by making reference to two well-known events in the Old Testament – that of Noah (cf. Gen. 6:5 – 7:24) and of Lot (Gen 18:20 – 26). However, Luke in recounting these events, gives us a particular point of view by purposely laying emphasis on the ordinariness of life prior to the judgement that came at the time of Noah and at the time of Lot – namely, eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling and building. In doing so, Luke brings to fore the fact that divine visitation, with particular reference to the coming of the Son of man, may take place anytime and anyway, hence, the need for one to be prepared for the unexpected.
There are two levels of divine visitation – within time and at the end of time. In the first instance, God visits each one of us every day through one or the other event. Those who are prepared, take advantage of such visitations and receive the blessing therein but those who are unprepared continually miss out. Today, for instance, God would visit you in a particular way. I pray that you notice that moment when it comes.
At the second level of divine visitation, a date has been fixed for each one of us to depart from this earthly life and meet the Divine Judge in eternity. If it should happen that your date of departure is today, would you be in the state of grace to look straight into the face of your God or you would bow down your head in shame?
For the one who has prepared himself for the expected coming of the Son of man, there is no need to be afraid of the unexpected. Let us remember that it is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.
Prayer: Eternal Father, it is not your desire that anyone of us should perish. Fill my heart with grace today that I may be strengthened and prepared for your divine visitation. Grant this through Christ our Lord. 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).