Power Over Evil

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/071115.cfm) reminds me that God has power over evil.

In this world, we usually associate angels with little children or babies with wings. We think that they are these cute harmless beings watching over us. However, the bible’s description, which is the more accurate description of the angels, are far from that. They are huge beings, and warriors for God. They fought against Lucifer and his angels. This is true for the devil. He is depicted as a strong and scary creature, while God is depicted as a peaceful person. Though God is a God of peace, we sometimes forget that he is powerful as well. He may not look powerful and mighty like a warrior, but He is always more powerful than the devil.

God has power over the devil.

In the first reading, we see that Joseph was exalted by God because he remained faithful to him. And it is a great reminder of God’s power over the enemy. When his brothers apologized, he told them that he held no grudge on them, and he understood that even if his brothers meant harm for him, God meant it for good. This is something we should always remember.

God can turn the devil’s evil plan for us into something good.

In our lives, we sometimes get too afraid of the evil one. yes he is powerful, but God is more powerful. And just as the devil is constantly tempting us, God has his angels constantly watching over us and protecting us. There are times when we feel we are doomed or that bad things are sure to happen given the situation we are in or the bad decisions we have made, but nothing comes as a surprise for God. We may not see the devil’s plans, but God knows it. And what the devil intended to harm us, can be turned by God into something that will be for our good.

God will always direct our steps. We just have to trust him and surrender to him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Thank you that despite all my sin and shortcomings, you still use me and take my service. Thank you for being a great and powerful God. I am sorry for the times I forget it. Sorry for the times I forget that you are more powerful than the devil, and that you know everything. Lord, I ask that you increase my faith, and that you always remind me of how loving and powerful you are. And I will do my best to live my faith and love for you. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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July 11, 2015

Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot

Lectionary: 388

Reading 1 Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a

Jacob gave his sons this charge:

“Since I am about to be taken to my people,

bury me with my fathers in the cave that lies

in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

the cave in the field of Machpelah,

facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan,

the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite

for a burial ground.

There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried,

and so are Isaac and his wife Rebekah,

and there, too, I buried Leah–

the field and the cave in it

that had been purchased from the Hittites.”

Now that their father was dead,

Joseph’s brothers became fearful and thought,

“Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us

and now plans to pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!”

So they approached Joseph and said:

“Before your father died, he gave us these instructions:

‘You shall say to Joseph, Jacob begs you

to forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers,

who treated you so cruelly.’

Please, therefore, forgive the crime that we,

the servants of your father’s God, committed.”

When they spoke these words to him, Joseph broke into tears.

Then his brothers proceeded to fling themselves down before him

and said, “Let us be your slaves!”

But Joseph replied to them:

“Have no fear. Can I take the place of God?

Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good,

to achieve his present end, the survival of many people.

Therefore have no fear.

I will provide for you and for your children.”

By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them.

Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father’s family.

He lived a hundred and ten years.

He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation,

and the children of Manasseh’s son Machir

were also born on Joseph’s knees.

Joseph said to his brothers: “I am about to die.

God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land

that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued,

“When God thus takes care of you,

you must bring my bones up with you from this place.”

Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten.

Responsorial Psalm PS 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7

R. (see Psalm 69:33) Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;

make known among the nations his deeds.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R. Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!

Glory in his holy name;

rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!

Look to the LORD in his strength;

seek to serve him constantly.

R. Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,

sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He, the LORD, is our God;

throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R. Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!

Alleluia 1 Pt 4:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,

for the Spirit of God rests upon you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 10:24-33

Jesus said to his Apostles:

“No disciple is above his teacher,

no slave above his master.

It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher,

for the slave that he become like his master.

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul,

how much more those of his household!

“Therefore do not be afraid of them.

Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,

nor secret that will not be known.

What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;

what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;

rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy

both soul and body in Gehenna.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?

Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.

Even all the hairs of your head are counted.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others

I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

But whoever denies me before others,

I will deny before my heavenly Father.”