GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 31ST AUGUST 2017
THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: 1Thessalonians 3:7-13
PSALM: Psalm 90:3-5, 12-14, 17
GOSPEL: Matthew 24:42-51
THEME: KEEP WATCH
Spiritual fluctuation is one big headache for many Christians. It is characterised by occasional high spiritual moments and long periods of spiritual droughts. For example, a person gets “spiritually-charged” at a weeklong retreat. After that momentary period of prayer, the person goes back to his(her) old way of life. In between one retreat and another retreat, many of us make ourselves spiritually vulnerable and it is during those moments of spiritual droughts that the enemy of our souls causes serious damage to our lives and wellbeing.
In our Gospel text for today, Jesus illustrates his second coming with two parables – the parable of a thief who breaks in without notice and the parable of the faithful/unfaithful servant. The first parable points to the fact that the coming of the Son of Man will happen unexpectedly and the second emphasises the need to be ready anytime, any day.
We are called upon to live our lives in constant expectation that Christ would come to us any time of the day. To keep watch is to be constantly alive in the Lord and to be in a state of ‘already-prepared’. It is a life of constant and consistent prayer, sharing of one’s gifts and talents with others and selfless service to those in need. It is a way of life. Such a person, reliable and faithful, will always find favour with God in time and eternity.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as a night watchman longs for daybreak, so my soul longs for you. My heart is ready. 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).