GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 28TH JULY 2016
THURSDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: Jeremiah 18:1-6
PSALM: Psalm 146:1-6
GOSPEL: Matthew 13:47-53
THEME: THE POTTER AND THE CLAY
As he shared with us the story of his past life and the horrible things he had done, my heart throbbed but as I gazed at him in the present and saw the glow and glory on his face, I became exceedingly convinced that the power of God’s grace to transform is real. He concluded his testimony saying, “I did everything wrong but God did everything right to bring me to where I am now.” Today, he is a pillar in the Church, serving the Lord wholeheartedly.
Judah as a nation had messed up in so many ways. There were numerous acts of unfaithfulness in the land, thereby weakening their moral and spiritual fibre and exposing them to an impending invasion by the Babylonians. In a state of hopelessness, with many still wondering whether the Lord still cared about them, God sent the prophet Jeremiah to a Potter’s house. As the prophet carefully watched the potter go about his business, he observed that he never threw away the marred clay, rather he redesigned it into something else. It was at this juncture that the Lord spoke to the prophet saying, “Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel”
(Jer. 18:6).
God does not throw away the work of his hands. We all mess up sometimes. There are some choices we make that rob us of purposeful direction in life. In such moments, we wonder whether there is any hope of recovery and restoration. No matter how much we have messed up in life, if we allow God to hold us anew in his hands, he would make us new.
Eternal Father, I turn to you in my brokenness. Take me into your hands again and give me a brand new reason to live. For the sake of Christ I pray. Amen
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)