Not Yet Finished

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/070815.cfm) reminds me that during difficult times, we should remember that God is not yet finished with his plans for us.

People are not always happy with works in progress. Road construction is such a hassle – bringing pollution and heavy traffic while construction is ongoing. However, everything pays off once the new road is completed. Travel time is faster and more convenient. We should always remember this when we face challenges.

God always finishes what he starts.

In the first reading, we see God working in Joseph. He did not have it easy. He suffered and endured a lot – from being sold by his own brothers, to being put in prison, he was faithful to God throughout. Probably most of us would have lost hope, but Joseph did not. He kept his faith in God and lived right with God. And we see that God rewarded him and completed his plans for him.

If you feel that things are rough and stressful, then definitely God is not complete with you yet. You are most probably still in the middle of the project, the construction phase. It may be difficult and stressful, but we should remember that God does not stop until the work is finished. He will not leave you hanging in the air. He will stick with you until the work is completed.

May we be encouraged and strengthened, especially if we are still in the construction phase.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for not giving up on me and for continuing the work you have done in me. Lord, I am sorry for the times I give up on myself. Sorry for the times I let me fear, failure and frustration take my focus away from you. I pray that you always remind me of how loving and faithful you are, that you are there protecting me as I am experiencing challenges, and that you will always be there to finish the work you started in me. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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July 8, 2015

Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 385

Reading 1 Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a

When hunger came to be felt throughout the land of Egypt

and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread,

Pharaoh directed all the Egyptians to go to Joseph

and do whatever he told them.

When the famine had spread throughout the land,

Joseph opened all the cities that had grain

and rationed it to the Egyptians,

since the famine had gripped the land of Egypt.

In fact, all the world came to Joseph to obtain rations of grain,

for famine had gripped the whole world.

The sons of Israel were among those

who came to procure rations.

It was Joseph, as governor of the country,

who dispensed the rations to all the people.

When Joseph’s brothers came and knelt down before him

with their faces to the ground,

he recognized them as soon as he saw them.

But Joseph concealed his own identity from them

and spoke sternly to them.

With that, he locked them up in the guardhouse for three days.

On the third day Joseph said to his brothers:

“Do this, and you shall live; for I am a God-fearing man.

If you have been honest,

only one of your brothers need be confined in this prison,

while the rest of you may go

and take home provisions for your starving families.

But you must come back to me with your youngest brother.

Your words will thus be verified, and you will not die.”

To this they agreed.

To one another, however, they said:

“Alas, we are being punished because of our brother.

We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us,

yet we paid no heed;

that is why this anguish has now come upon us.”

Reuben broke in,

“Did I not tell you not to do wrong to the boy?

But you would not listen!

Now comes the reckoning for his blood.”

The brothers did not know, of course,

that Joseph understood what they said,

since he spoke with them through an interpreter.

But turning away from them, he wept.

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;

with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.

Sing to him a new song;

pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;

he foils the designs of peoples.

But the plan of the LORD stands forever;

the design of his heart, through all generations.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,

upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Alleluia Mk 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Kingdom of God is at hand:

repent and believe in the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples

and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out

and to cure every disease and every illness.

The names of the Twelve Apostles are these:

first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;

James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

Philip and Bartholomew,

Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;

James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;

Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot

who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,

“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”