GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 19TH JULY 2016
TUESDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
PSALM: Psalm 85:2-8
GOSPEL: Matthew 12:46-50
THEME: THE WILL OF GOD
I was driving 100km/h with confidence on an unfamiliar road without paying much attention to road signs. Poor driving I suppose. I kept going without getting to my destination. I started feeling stupid behind the steering wheel. Finally, I stopped and asked a pedestrian for direction. It was then that my folly became evident. Unknown to me, I had ignored a signpost at a crossroad meant to direct me to my destination and consequently I had long ago missed the turn. Waste of time, waste of energy and waste of fuel. Similarly, in a hurry, many people are ignoring Jesus and thereby missing that one important turn to salvation.
In response to a remark that his mother and brothers were outside looking for him, Jesus, in our Gospel text, pointed to his disciples and said “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Mt. 12:49-50).
The will of God is that none of us should be lost and that we all find the way to salvation and come to the knowledge of the truth (cf. 1Tim. 2:3-4). Consequently, Jesus stands at the crossroad of life’s journey and offers himself as the WAY to salvation.
Jesus makes it clear that in matters of salvation, natural kinship counts for nothing. Those who belong to the true family of Jesus are those who find the WAY and thereby carry out the will of his heavenly Father.
No one knows for certain the nature of the road that lies ahead of us or the bends that we need to take. However, if we choose to follow Jesus as his disciples, we would certainly not be lost. We would arrive safely.
Who am I Lord that I should be called your brother (sister)? And yet that is what I am by your grace. As I yield to your word each day, make me a faithful disciple and lead me on the path to eternal life. Amen
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)