GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 13TH MAY 2017
SATURDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER
FIRST READING: Acts 13:44-52
PSALM: Psalm 98:1-4
GOSPEL: John 14:7-14
THEME: FAITHFULNESS
Mother Teresa of Calcutta is quoted as saying, “I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.” True to her words, she pursued the path of faithfulness and turned out to be one of the most successful Christian missionaries of the 21st century.
When you focus on success and things do not go as planned you are inclined to give up but when you focus on faithfulness, even when you are unsuccessful you keep going until success locates you.
In today’s first reading, we are told that the ministry of Paul and Barnabas in Antioch in Pisidia received different reactions and responses. After Paul had proclaimed the Word in the synagogue, there were some (principally the Jews) who responded with jealousy and blasphemy and there were others (principally the gentiles) who were happy and thankful. Those who were unhappy with the ministry of Paul and Barnabas, worked upon some of the women of the upper classes and the leading men of the city and persuaded them to turn against the two and to expel them from the city. The two faithful preachers of the word did not allow this to dishearten them. Rather, they shook the dust off their feet and went off to another town, Iconium, proclaiming the Gospel.
In proclaiming the Word of God, we should not expect success everywhere we go. There will always be those who resist the Word and those who receive the Word. The power of the Word of God to change a person for good is real. However this power can only be operative in the life of a person who receives the Word with faith.
A faith-FUL disciple is one who is FULL of faith in the Lord. Faith gives ability and the promise of Jesus holds true for all faithful disciples: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father” (Jn 14:12).
As we follow the Lord, may our faith in Him never waver and He would accomplish great things in and through us.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are a shining example of faithfulness. Even the cross could not rob you of your faith in the will of the Father. Give me a heart of faithfulness to proclaim your word in season and out of season. 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)