GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY -19TH DECEMBER 2016

GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)

DATE: 19TH DECEMBER 2016

MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN ADVENT

1ST READING: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a

PSALM: Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17

GOSPEL: Luke 1:5-25

THEME: WHEN THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES POSSIBLE

Sometimes in our lives, we all come to a point where we need nothing less than a divine intervention to turn things around. This is where if God does not act, there is nothing we can do.

This was the situation of Manoah and his wife, on one hand, in the in the First Reading and Zechariah and his wife (Elizabeth), on the other hand, in the Gospel. Both families had no children. In the case of Zechariah and his wife, a further description of the situation is given when the author writes, “they they were both advanced in years” (Luke 1:7). This paints a picture of impossibility in giving birth, humanly speaking. However, it was precisely at the point where there appeared to be no hope that God made the impossible, possible. Manoah and his wife would give birth to Samson, while Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, would give birth to John the Baptist.

A divine intervention is an act of God in favour of a person that brings about wellbeing or a breakthrough, thereby turning one’s tears of pain into tears of joy.

In this season of Advent, as we soberly reflect on the power of God to change the course of human history, it is important that we pray fervently and trust God to act favourably with respect to any difficult human situation we may have found ourselves in.

The stories of Manoah and his wife, and Zechariah and his wife teach us that with God nothing is impossible. When something goes wrong with your life, see yourself as having been chosen to bear witness to God’s power and ability to make the impossible, possible.

God has a plan for each one of us. Let us therefore cry out to Him during this season, praying that his perfect plan for our lives may prevail and that before the year comes to an end, each one of us would receive a particular good news from above.

Prayer: Eternal Father, you have the last word concerning my life and my destiny. For the sake of your Son Jesus, speak your word of light and the darkness in my world would vanish. 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).

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