GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 22ND AUGUST 2017
MEMORIAL OF THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
FIRST READING: Judges 6:11-24
PSALM: Psalm 85:9, 11-14
GOSPEL: Matthew 19:23-30
THEME: I SHALL BE WITH YOU
A spiritual director said to a confused young missionary who felt called to embark on a difficult mission but at the same time was afraid: “What matters in life is not where you walk but who walks with you.” That phrase “…who walks with you…” gave him the needed push to go on that mission.
Called by the Lord to deliver Israel from the power of Midian, Gideon responded: “How can I deliver Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Jg. 6:15). It was an open declaration of one’s frailty in the face of a big task. What Gideon did not realise at that moment was that there was divine strength available to him. Thus the Lord said to him in response: “I shall be with you and you will crush Midian as though it were one man” (Jdg. 6:16).
On the day of battle itself, Gideon would assemble 32,000 troops to fight the Midianites but the Lord would tell him, “You have too many soldiers with you…” (Jg. 7:1ff). In the end, he would be made to reduce the number to 300. With that paltry force, he would go into battle and triumph. Indeed, it was the Lord’s battle.
The secret of Gideon’s victory and success as a judge was his reliance on the strength of the Lord. Gideon saw himself as a “nobody” but God’s presence in his life made him “somebody”. Today, both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Jewish community attest that Gideon was one of Israel’s best judges.
Throughout the history of salvation, one can observe a particular trend in the choice of the Lord. He chooses the lowly to confound the mighty. That was the experience of Mary as expressed in her song of praise (cf. Lk 1:52).
Perhaps, like Gideon, you may be having that feeling that you are insignificant in many ways. However, if you would rely on God, you would accomplish great things.
PRAYER: Lord God, I prostrate myself before you and acknowledge my nothingness. Let your power descend mightily upon me so that filled with your Spirit, I may faithfully fulfil your holy will and thus bring glory to your name. For the sake of Christ, I pray. 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).