The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112417.cfm)
reminds me that no one can go against God.
I believe that everything that happens in this world is because of God,
or if not directly because of him, happened with God’s permission. I
am reminded of Job, the faithful servant who experienced probably every bad
thing that can happen to a person. He was a loving servant, and he had
blessings. However, everything was taken away from him except his life. When
the devil wanted to try Job, he had to ask God’s permission to inflict pain and
suffering. God agreed, knowing that Job is faithful – he just told the devil
that he can do anything except to take Job’s life.
No one can
fight God. No one can go against his plans and his timing.
In the gospel, we see again an
account of Jesus driving away people in the temple. Of course, this insulted
the religious authorities at that time – the Chief Priests, Scribes and
Pharisees. They were insulted and challenged that they wanted to put Jesus to
death. However, they could not do it because it was not yet God’s time for it.
It was not yet in God’s plans to put Jesus to death. No matter how powerful they may be, they cannot go against
God. This should remind us to
have faith and trust in God, for other
people, no matter how powerful
they may be in this world, cannot stop God’s plans for you.
Sometimes we get intimidated
with worldly power. People in power and authority do not always use their
position in the proper way. We see a lot of abuse. And sometimes, we think that
these people in power can hinder God from fulfilling his purpose and plans for
us. Sometimes we feel that powerful people are the ones stopping our promotion,
our career growth, or our plans for God’s kingdom. They may have worldly power over these things, but we
should remember that they do not have power over God. They can only do what God allows them to do. They
can only influence things in the level approved and allowed by God. They cannot stop God’s plans from being fulfilled in our
lives.
May we be comforted by the fact
that no one, no matter how powerful and influential they may be, can stop God’s
plans from being fulfilled.
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 the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I get
stressed with things of this world. Sorry for the times I get intimidated by
people in power and authority. Sorry for the times I think that they are
stopping your great plans from being fulfilled in my life. Sorry for forgetting
that no one is more powerful than you. Help me to always be reminded of this.
Nothing will happen without your permission, so I will continue to focus on
you, continue to love you and continue to serve you for I have faith that in
your perfect time, your great plans will come true in my life. Amen.
Blessed
Day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflections:
Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs
Lectionary: 501
Reading 11 MC 4:36-37, 52-59
Judas and his brothers said,
"Now that our enemies have been crushed,
let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it."
So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month,
that is, the month of Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-eight,
they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law
on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it,
on that very day it was reconsecrated
with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.
All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven,
who had given them success.
For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.
They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields;
they repaired the gates and the priests' chambers
and furnished them with doors.
There was great joy among the people
now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.
Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel
decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar
should be observed with joy and gladness
on the anniversary every year for eight days,
from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.
"Now that our enemies have been crushed,
let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it."
So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month,
that is, the month of Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-eight,
they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law
on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it,
on that very day it was reconsecrated
with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.
All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven,
who had given them success.
For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.
They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields;
they repaired the gates and the priests' chambers
and furnished them with doors.
There was great joy among the people
now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.
Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel
decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar
should be observed with joy and gladness
on the anniversary every year for eight days,
from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.
Responsorial Psalm1 CHR 29:10BCD, 11ABC, 11D-12A, 12BCD
R. (13b) We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"You have dominion over all,
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"You have dominion over all,
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
AlleluiaJN 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 19:45-48
those who were selling things, saying to them,
"It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves."
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.
No comments:
Post a Comment