GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 7TH JULY 2017
FRIDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67
PSALM: Psalm 106:1-5
GOSPEL: Matthew 9:9-13
THEME: THE LORD WILL SEND AN ANGEL BEFORE YOU
God always sends angels to guide us on life’s journey but often we regard divine interventions as coincidences. However, as someone rightly put it: “A coincidence is when God performs a miracle but chooses to remain anonymous.” The beautiful things that happen in our lives are no mere luck; they are signs that we do not walk alone. God is with us.
In our First Reading, Abraham sent one of his servants to his home country to find a wife for Isaac, his son. The servant immediately saw the hurdle in that mission and asked a practical question: “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land; must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” (Gen. 24:5). Abraham, however looked beyond the hurdle and focussed on God’s ability: “See to it that you do not take my son back there. The LORD, the God of heaven…will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there”(Gen. 24:6-7). True to the words of Abraham, the Lord guided the servant to find a wife, Rebekah, for Isaac.
Often we limit our faith in God’s ability by dillydallying with a lot of ‘what ifs’. The fear of failure saps strength and makes one to mark time at the same spot – no progress. Consequently, some refuse to take the needed first step to get to where they ought to be in life. The statement of Abraham is a powerful guiding principle – “The LORD will send an angel before you”.
Do you have a major decision to take or a choice to make? Pray to God and trust him to guide you. No one ever trusted God and was disappointed. If things do not work out the way you expect, God will make them work out in ways you least expect.
PRAYER: Eternal Father, you are the loving shepherd who never leaves his flock untended. You guide your own and lead them besides still waters. May you send forth an angel to show me the steps I should take that I may arrive at the place you have always desired for me. 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).