Power Over Weather

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072115.cfm) reminds me that God has power over the weather

Climate change is a very serious topic. We cannot see it physically, unlike garbage problems or fire, but we can strongly feel its effects. We have more powerful typhoons and hotter weather. Just a few months ago, we experienced very dry season that crops were dying and dams were reaching critical levels. Utility companies issued reminders to conserve energy, conserve water, and the like. However, I believe what is important is prayer, good thing the church released a prayer for the dry season at that time. We can do everything we can as human beings, but we should never forget to call on God, especially during these times.

God has power over the weather.

In the first reading, we see one of the most amazing stories in the bible – Moses parting the red sea. It not only shows that God has the power to part the sea so Israelites can pass, but he also has the power to bring it back and destroy the Egyptians. Indeed, God has total control over the earth and over the weather. He created everything and he has power over everything. We just sometimes forget it.

There are times when we feel scared or helpless on certain things. Yes, on our own we cannot do anything about the weather and its effects on us. But With God, we can do anything. With God, anything is possible. May we be inspired to come to God and lift up all our concerns, especially when we feel we cannot do anything about it anymore. As he saved the Israelites and parted the sea, he can also do that for us – whether to bring rain to quench a dry land, or to bring the sun out for our intentions. We just have to trust in Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another reminder. Lord, I am sorry for the times I forget you and your power. sorry for just relying on myself or on technology, and forgetting that you have power over everything in this world. help me have faith, for I know that you would honor that faith and show everyone your great power, for your glory. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 21, 2015

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 396

Reading 1 Ex 14:21—15:1

Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,

and the LORD swept the sea

with a strong east wind throughout the night

and so turned it into dry land.

When the water was thus divided,

the children of Israel marched into the midst of the sea on dry land,

with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.

The Egyptians followed in pursuit;

all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and charioteers went after them

right into the midst of the sea.

In the night watch just before dawn

the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud

upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic;

and he so clogged their chariot wheels

that they could hardly drive.

With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel,

because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians.

Then the LORD told Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea,

that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians,

upon their chariots and their charioteers.”

So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,

and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth.

The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea,

when the LORD hurled them into its midst.

As the water flowed back,

it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh’s whole army

that had followed the children of Israel into the sea.

Not a single one of them escaped.

But the children of Israel had marched on dry land

through the midst of the sea,

with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.

Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day

from the power of the Egyptians.

When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore

and beheld the great power that the LORD

had shown against the Egyptians,

they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD:

I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;

horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.

Responsorial Psalm Exodus 15:8-9, 10 and 12, 17

R. (1b) Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

At the breath of your anger the waters piled up,

the flowing waters stood like a mound,

the flood waters congealed in the midst of the sea.

The enemy boasted, “I will pursue and overtake them;

I will divide the spoils and have my fill of them;

I will draw my sword; my hand shall despoil them!”

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

When your wind blew, the sea covered them;

like lead they sank in the mighty waters.

When you stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them!

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

And you brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance—

the place where you made your seat, O LORD,

the sanctuary, O LORD, which your hands established.

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

Alleluia Jn 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Whoever loves me will keep my word,

and my Father will love him

and we will come to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,

his mother and his brothers appeared outside,

wishing to speak with him.

Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,

asking to speak with you.”

But he said in reply to the one who told him,

“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,

“Here are my mother and my brothers.

For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father

is my brother, and sister, and mother.”