Great Plans

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010317.cfm) reminds me that God has great plans for us, and they will come into fruition in his perfect time. 

Early on in the year, it is nice to be reminded that God has great plans for us. A lot made new year’s resolutions. A lot have plans and dreams they want to concretize and accomplish within this year. And as we do so, it is reassuring that God has great plans for us as well.

A lot of people take inspiration in Jeremiah 29:11, that God has plans to prosper us and for our good. It is inspiring indeed. However, In the first reading today, we see something inspiring as well. A lesser known verse but just as inspiring. we see God telling us what he told through John – what we shall be has not yet been revealed, but we know that when it is revealed, we will be like him. So affirming, and so inspiring. We may have a lot of plans, worries and concerns right now. We may have a lot of questions in our minds. But we are assured by God that when we finally understand things, when we see the plans of God come together, it will be great!

In the gospel, we see someone experiencing God’s plan come into fruition. John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus. Probably they have not seen each other yet. But John knew what his purpose was, and he was faithful in doing it, despite people saying stuff about him and others persecuting him. He was faithful to God. He trusted in God’s plans. And in the gospel, we see God’s plan come into fruition when Jesus came to John to be baptized. The one he was preparing the way for came to him.

God knows what he is doing, we just need to trust in Him.

John may not have expected that. He was preparing the way for Jesus, yet it was Jesus himself who came to him to be baptized! That's how great God's plans are. That is how generous he is. That is how he rewards those who are focused on loving and serving Him, instead of on getting worldly rewards. 

What are my new year’s resolutions? What are my plans and goals for this year? Do I have worries or fears? What is God telling me today?

May we have faith in God and his great plans on us. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the beautiful reminder that you have things under control and you have great plans for me. Lord, sorry for worrying too much and for taking things into my hands. Sorry for being stressed with troubles.  Help me trust in you, your plans and your timing. As I start the year and make plans and goals, may I always remember to surrender to you and trust in you, knowing that your plans are always better than mine. Always. And that your plans will come into fruition. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 3, 2017
Christmas Weekday
Lectionary: 206

Reading 1 1 Jn 2:29–3:6

If you consider that God is righteous,
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.

See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6

R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Alleluia Jn 1:14a, 12a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel."
John testified further, saying,
"I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."