GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 16TH FEBRUARY 2017
THURSDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Genesis 9:1-13
PSALM: Psalm 102: 16-21, 29
GOSPEL: Mark 8: 27-33
THEME: THE RAINBOW
There are three quick valuable lessons about the rainbow that may throw light on our journey of faith. But first, let us put our reflection in context.
After the flood, as recounted in the Book of Genesis, God made a covenant with Noah and his descendants, and indeed all the living creatures that were with him. The Lord said, “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth” (Gen. 9:11). As a sign of this solemn promise, God said to Noah, “I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Gen. 9:13).
A rainbow, as explained to me by a friend-scientist, is basically “an arc of colour in the sky that can be seen when the sun shines through falling rain.” The choice of the rainbow as a sign may as well convey some important lessons:
LESSON ONE: The rainbow appears when and where there are droplets of rain. If you want to see a rainbow then do not be afraid of the rain. It is a spectacle of the presence of light even in a storm. Someone wittingly puts it this way: “The greater your storm, the brighter your rainbow”. It is in the midst of challenging times that God gives us a sign of his love.
LESSON TWO: When you see a rainbow, you would often not notice the sun because the sun is right ‘behind you’ throwing light ahead of you. In the same way, God is always behind you causing signs in your rainy days. He’s got your back.
LESSON THREE: Rainbows do not last forever but the sun still lives on. Do not hold on to signs, they may not last. Put your trust in the One (God) who causes the signs in your life. He lives forever.
The covenant that God established with Noah and the rest of creation is an efficacious reminder that “God so love the world…” (John 3:16).
PRAYER: Eternal Father, you fill my heart with joy whenever I think of the fact that I have a God who loves me unconditionally. As I follow your Son Jesus, may I never doubt your divine presence 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).