Prepare and be Protected

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/102018.cfm) reminds me that God can easily protect those who prepare and trust in Him. 

I used to always watch a TV series called “The Blacklist” , where the main character is a powerful and well-connected criminal who for some reason wanted to work with the FBI to catch other criminals. On one of the earlier episodes, the person he cares for doesn’t know that he sent someone to follow her and keep her safe. She only knew about it when the person actually saved her from danger.

God is more powerful and more loving than that.

In the gospel, we see that he is speaking to us, his followers. People may try to harm us or hurt us or humiliate us. But he promises us help and assistance.

When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,

do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

We need to trust in Him, even if it may seem that it doesn’t make sense. We need to trust him even if we would rather do our way. 

Jesus asked them not to prepare beforehand what they are about to say. This should not be an excuse not to do our part and just hope God will come to our rescue. That’s laziness. We should still do our part. We should prepare in another way. Jesus told them not to prepare their defense because he wanted them to trust in Him rather than trust in themselves. Rather than preparing and exerting human effort, God wants us to prepare by having a good relationship with him. God wants us to build a personal and intimate relationship with him. Only when we have this can he speak to and through us. If we do not know him, we cannot hear and recognize his voice. We need to prepare and do our part. 

How is my relationship with God? Do I have a personal and intimate relationship with Him, or do I just know he is God? Do I trust in God, even and especially if things are difficult and challenging? What can I do to improve my relationship with Him? 

May we always remember that as God’s children doing his will, we will always be protected, but may we also do our part and prepare spiritually and build and intimate relationship with Him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the blessings and for always protecting me. Lord, sorry for the times I feel you are not there simply because I cannot see you. Sorry for feeling you forgot about me. Sorry for being lazy to prepare my spirit for you. I may not always feel you, but I have faith that you are there protecting me and keeping me safe. I pray that I may continue to work on my relationship in you because I know it will enable you to easily talk to me and protect me. I will do my part to prepare, and will leave you with the rest. Amen. 

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

October 20, 2018

Saturday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 472

Reading 1 EPH 1:15-23

Brothers and sisters:
Hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and of your love for all the holy ones,
I do not cease giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might,
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the Church,
which is his Body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Responsorial Psalm PS 8:2-3AB, 4-5, 6-7

R. (7) You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
O LORD, our LORD,
how glorious is your name over all the earth!
You have exalted your majesty above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings
you have fashioned praise because of your foes.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place—
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

Alleluia JN 15:26B, 27A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord,
and you also will testify.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you,
everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.

"Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."