Even If

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/071515.cfm) reminds me that God uses us even if we have a dark past.

When someone applies for a job, looking at the history of a person is very important. That’s why the main basis for acceptance is the resume. Employers want to know the past – the capabilities, skills and past experiences of a person before hiring him. Background checks are done from previous employers or from schools to make sure they know pretty much everything they need to know about a person. However, God is not like that.

Our past is not as important as our future.

God will use us even if we have sins or unresolved issues. In the first reading, we see God calling Moses. In the readings yesterday, we see that Moses killed a person so eventually he went away. However, we see now that God called and chose him despite that. God knows our hearts, and what we can do in the future, with his help and his grace, is more important than what we did in the past.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us that God reveals himself to the childlike. Maybe God saw the childlike heart and faith in Moses – childlike that will just trust and obey the Father whatever he tells him. Childlike that will surrender to the will of God, and not be stubborn in insisting what he wants. Childlike in knowing he is a child of God.

We too may be like Moses. We may have sins in the past that we feel are too big. We may have done things that we are ashamed of. However, God is still the same, from the time of Moses until now. He looks past our sins and shortcomings, and sees us for what we can become and what we can do through him. May we have childlike faith, especially when God calls us. We may not feel worthy, but God thinks otherwise.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for seeing the good in me, for trusting me despite of my past and my sins. Lord, I am sorry for all I have done in the past. Sorry for looking down on myself because of those things. Sorry for doubting myself. Lord, I just lift everything to you. may I have childlike faith to just trust in you and say yes when you call me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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July 15, 2015

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Lectionary: 391

Reading 1 Ex 3:1-6, 9-12

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian.

Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb,

the mountain of God.

There an angel of the LORD appeared to him in fire

flaming out of a bush.

As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush,

though on fire, was not consumed.

So Moses decided,

“I must go over to look at this remarkable sight,

and see why the bush is not burned.”

When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it more closely,

God called out to him from the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

He answered, “Here I am.”

God said, “Come no nearer!

Remove the sandals from your feet,

for the place where you stand is holy ground.

I am the God of your father,” he continued,

“the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.

The cry of the children of Israel has reached me,

and I have truly noted that the Egyptians are oppressing them.

Come, now! I will send you to Pharaoh to lead my people,

the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

But Moses said to God,

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh

and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

He answered, “I will be with you;

and this shall be your proof that it is I who have sent you:

when you bring my people out of Egypt,

you will worship God on this very mountain.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 103:1b-2, 3-4, 6-7

R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all your iniquities,

he heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction,

he crowns you with kindness and compassion.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

The LORD secures justice

and the rights of all the oppressed.

He has made known his ways to Moses,

and his deeds to the children of Israel.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Alleluia See Mt 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;

you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 11:25-27

At that time Jesus exclaimed:

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things

from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

No one knows the Son except the Father,

and no one knows the Father except the Son

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”