The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091117.cfm)
reminds me that nothing can stop God's plans for me.
Sometimes we feel that a single
mistake or missed opportunity caused us to lose on something. Sometimes we
feel that our past mistakes prevent us from having a great future. Sometimes we
feel that because we do not have the right connections or the right
opportunities, we will not succeed. Sometimes we feel that because of an
incident or a decision, we missed the opportunity to grow. This may be true in
some aspect, but not with God’s kingdom.
What other people think or do cannot stop God from fulfilling
his great and saving plans for us.
In
the gospel, we see Jesus healing a man on a Sabbath, in the synagogue. There
were many things that could have prevented it
– the law prohibiting healing or work to be done on a Sabbath,
the Pharisees disagreement with Jesus’ actions, and the situation having
Jesus in the territory of the Pharisees. However, these things did not stop Jesus’
healing the man. These things did not delay God’s saving and healing plan for
the man.
Nothing
and no one is powerful enough to stop God’s plan for you.
No matter what other people
say, no matter what the situation may be, no matter what other people do –
these things cannot stop God’s great plans for us. Even if people oppose us,
even if people bring us down, even if situations challenge us, these cannot
stop God’s great plans for us. God’s love and power are greater than all of
these combined.
May we be assured that God is not limited by a perfect situation. He does not need a perfect environment for
his plans to come to fruition. And may this inspire us to
continue trusting in him, and continue to do our best to live right as we wait
on his perfect plans for us.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you
for another chance to love you and experience your love. Thank you for a very
powerful reminder that no one and nothing can stop you from fulfilling your
great plans for me. Lord, I am sorry for the times I am impatient and doubt
your great plans for me. Sorry for the times I feel that I am trapped, that you
cannot do anything for me because of the situation I am in. Sorry for thinking
you are like a human being with limitations on external factors. Give me faith.
Help me develop and strengthen my faith in you. May I have that great faith in
you for I know that nothing and no one can stop your great plans for me. and as
I wait for your plans to come true in my life, I will continue to love you, I
will continue to serve you, I will continue my best to live right for you.
Amen.
Blessed
week!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflection:
Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 437
Reading 1COL1:24–2:3
I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his Body, which is the Church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God's stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
For this I labor and struggle,
in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
and all who have not seen me face to face,
that their hearts may be encouraged
as they are brought together in love,
to have all the richness of assured understanding,
for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Responsorial PsalmPS 62:6-7, 9
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
AlleluiaJN 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 6:6-11
and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely
to see if he would cure on the sabbath
so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
But he realized their intentions
and said to the man with the withered hand,
"Come up and stand before us."
And he rose and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them,
"I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?"
Looking around at them all, he then said to him,
"Stretch out your hand."
He did so and his hand was restored.
But they became enraged
and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.
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