Hang On

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092716.cfm) reminds me to hang on and have faith in God, especially when times are extremely tough. 

We may have all experienced times when we just wanted to give up. Problems are so overwhelming. There are a lot of issues and concerns. People are not helpful. They sometimes bring you down even more. It is so tempting to just quit. However, we are reminded that during these times, the more we should hold on to God and his love. 

In the first reading, we see Job frustrated. Job was tired. He wanted to end it all. He wanted to give up. Good thing he did not. For we know what happened to Job, how God rewarded his faithfulness with more than what he lost. God will also do this to us. 

The darker the night, the brighter the star. 

When we feel like giving up, we should focus not on the pain snd difficulty that we are feeling, but on God. We should hold on to God's words. We should hold on to his love. We should hold on to our faith, that God is protecting us and guiding us every step of the way.  And the more we focus on his love, the more we focus on his power, the more we will realize how bright he is amidst the darkness of the night. The more we will realize we are not alone, and that God has always been there with us. 

May we be inspired to hold on and have great faith, especially when times are extremely tough. 

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 another reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I let my problems overwhelm me. Sorry for the times I let the world weigh me down. Help me be like Job. Help me be resilient and just focus in you. May I see your light and love shine brightly especially during the darkest of night. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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September 27, 2016
Memorial of Saint Vincet de Paul, Priest
Lectionary: 456

Reading 1 Jb 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23

Job opened his mouth and cursed his day.
Job spoke out and said:

Perish the day on which I was born,
the night when they said, “The child is a boy!”

Why did I not perish at birth,
come forth from the womb and expire?
Or why was I not buried away like an untimely birth,
like babes that have never seen the light?
Wherefore did the knees receive me?
or why did I suck at the breasts?

For then I should have lain down and been tranquil;
had I slept, I should then have been at rest
With kings and counselors of the earth
who built where now there are ruins
Or with princes who had gold
and filled their houses with silver.

There the wicked cease from troubling,
there the weary are at rest.

Why is light given to the toilers,
and life to the bitter in spirit?
They wait for death and it comes not;
they search for it rather than for hidden treasures,
Rejoice in it exultingly,
and are glad when they reach the grave:
Those whose path is hidden from them,
and whom God has hemmed in!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 88:2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8

R. (3) Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
O LORD, my God, by day I cry out;
at night I clamor in your presence.
Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my call for help.
R. Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
For my soul is surfeited with troubles
and my life draws near to the nether world.
I am numbered with those who go down into the pit;
I am a man without strength.
R. Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
My couch is among the dead,
like the slain who lie in the grave,
Whom you remember no longer
and who are cut off from your care.
R. Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
You have plunged me into the bottom of the pit,
into the dark abyss.
Upon me your wrath lies heavy,
and with all your billows you overwhelm me.
R. Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

Alleluia Mk 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?”
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they journeyed to another village.