God’s Time

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/032015.cfm) reminds me that everything that happens has a permission from God.

God is powerful. We all know that, but sometimes we forget it. He created everything and everyone, and has power over everything except out free will. I remember the story of Job, that even the devil asked permission from God to test Job. With God’s permission and faith in Job, he was tested and emerged victorious in the end. This is how powerful God is.

Nothing that happens in life surprises God.

In the first reading, we see how wicked people think. They plot evil against Jesus. And in the gospel, we see that Jesus went about freely, despite the evil plans powerful people had for him. This reminds us that God really controls everything, and it is written that no one put their hand to arrest Jesus because the hour has not yet come. It is not yet God’s time. God has not given his permission yet for Jesus’ passion to commence.

Everything happens with God’s permission. Everything happens in God’s time.

This is a reminder for us. We sometimes think that life is full of surprises and that things are so chaotic in life. We may have a lot of problems – financially, physically, with our health and relationships in life. Today, we are reminded that God allows things to happen for a reason. And when he allows things to happen to us, not only is it part of his great plans for us, but also because he has faith in us that we can overcome these challenges and emerge stronger and victorious in Him.

May we be inspired and strengthened by this.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another reminder. Thank you for watching over me and taking care of me. Lord, I am sorry for the times I think that the devil is more powerful than you. Sorry for the times I mistake life’s challenges as your punishment or the devil’s useless work in my life. Sorry for the times I lose my faith and think that you don’t have control over my life. I surrender to you, Lord. I know you have great plans for me, even if it entails challenges. I ask that you help me remain focused on you. Strengthen me to face life’s challenges as I do my best to glorify you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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March 20, 2015

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Lectionary: 248

Reading 1 Wis 2:1a, 12-22

The wicked said among themselves,

thinking not aright:

“Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;

he sets himself against our doings,

Reproaches us for transgressions of the law

and charges us with violations of our training.

He professes to have knowledge of God

and styles himself a child of the LORD.

To us he is the censure of our thoughts;

merely to see him is a hardship for us,

Because his life is not like that of others,

and different are his ways.

He judges us debased;

he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure.

He calls blest the destiny of the just

and boasts that God is his Father.

Let us see whether his words be true;

let us find out what will happen to him.

For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him

and deliver him from the hand of his foes.

With revilement and torture let us put him to the test

that we may have proof of his gentleness

and try his patience.

Let us condemn him to a shameful death;

for according to his own words, God will take care of him.”

These were their thoughts, but they erred;

for their wickedness blinded them,

and they knew not the hidden counsels of God;

neither did they count on a recompense of holiness

nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23R. (19a)

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,

to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,

and from all their distress he rescues them.

R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

Many are the troubles of the just man,

but out of them all the LORD delivers him.

R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

He watches over all his bones;

not one of them shall be broken.

The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;

no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.

R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

Verse Before the Gospel Mt 4:4bO

ne does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Gospel Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Jesus moved about within Galilee;

he did not wish to travel in Judea,

because the Jews were trying to kill him.

But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.

But when his brothers had gone up to the feast,

he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.

Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said,

“Is he not the one they are trying to kill?

And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him.

Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ?

But we know where he is from.

When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”

So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said,

“You know me and also know where I am from.

Yet I did not come on my own,

but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.

I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”

So they tried to arrest him,

but no one laid a hand upon him,

because his hour had not yet come.