Powerful Word

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062615.cfm) reminds me how powerful God’s word is.

Nowadays, power is equated to something – a strong military, fast processing, clear images, top speed. all these things are associated with power. However, we see in the gospel and first reading how different God’s powerful is. More simple, but more powerful.

God’s word is powerful.

In the first reading, it was simply a word from God that Abraham would have a child in his old age, and would have numerous descendants. That came true. And in the gospel, we see a leper being healed with just Jesus’ words. That’s how powerful God’s word is.

When he says he has great plans for us, we should believe it. When he says he is watching over us, we should believe it. God’s word is true and powerful, and we should hold on to it, especially when situations are tough. Abraham and Sarah were old when God told them they would have a son. The leper has been living in a difficult situation before he got a chance to go to Jesus. We are probably in a tough situation right now, but we should remember that God’s word is more powerful than the situation we are in.

May we be comforted in the love of God and the power of his word.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another Friday. Lord, thank you for always loving me. thank you for always looking after me, especially when I do not feel it and when I do not appreciate it. Lord, help me have faith in you, your love and your powerful word. I know that whatever situation I may be in, your love is greater and your word more powerful than it. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ

-g-

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June 26, 2015

Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 375

Reading 1 Gn 17:1, 9-10, 15-22

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him

and said: “I am God the Almighty.

Walk in my presence and be blameless.”

God also said to Abraham:

“On your part, you and your descendants after you

must keep my covenant throughout the ages.

This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you

that you must keep:

every male among you shall be circumcised.”

God further said to Abraham:

“As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai;

her name shall be Sarah.

I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her.

Him also will I bless; he shall give rise to nations,

and rulers of peoples shall issue from him.”

Abraham prostrated himself and laughed as he said to himself,

“Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old?

Or can Sarah give birth at ninety?”

Then Abraham said to God,

“Let but Ishmael live on by your favor!”

God replied: “Nevertheless, your wife Sarah is to bear you a son,

and you shall call him Isaac.

I will maintain my covenant with him as an everlasting pact,

to be his God and the God of his descendants after him.

As for Ishmael, I am heeding you: I hereby bless him.

I will make him fertile and will multiply him exceedingly.

He shall become the father of twelve chieftains,

and I will make of him a great nation.

But my covenant I will maintain with Isaac,

whom Sarah shall bear to you by this time next year.”

When he had finished speaking with him, God departed from Abraham.

Responsorial Psalm PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,

who walk in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;

blessed shall you be, and favored.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

in the recesses of your home;

Your children like olive plants

around your table.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Behold, thus is the man blessed

who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion:

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Alleluia Mt 8:17

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Christ took away our infirmities

and bore our diseases.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.

And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said,

“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,

“I will do it. Be made clean.”

His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one,

but go show yourself to the priest,

and offer the gift that Moses prescribed;

that will be proof for them.”