The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071219.cfm)
reminds me that God
has us covered.
It
is easy to talk and say things, but actually doing what we say is difficult.
Nowadays, it is very difficult to find someone who is always true to his word.
People lie and things happen that complicates things or the situation. There
are a lot of reasons. However, when you know someone with this integrity
and respectability, no matter what he or she says, you would believe and trust
the person. This is how we should see God.
When
God says he got us covered, we should believe it.
in
the first reading, God spoke to Jacob. What he was about to do was scary, but
God assured him, and true enough, Jacob was very happy when he found out his
son Joseph is alive. In the gospel, we see Jesus telling his disciples to be
firm and just have faith in him – that he would be there and provide the words
they are to speak to defend themselves. These things may have been scary. It
was not easy to do and believe. But they trusted in God. And we know that this
was true. God is faithful.
God
does not lie.
When
he tells us something, we should believe it because it is true. However, we
should also do our part. When God told Jacob of a great reward
waiting for him, he did not end there. It will not just come to him. Jacob had
to work, to walk and do his part. In the gospel, when Jesus told his apostles
what he would tell them what to say, he did not say that’s it. They should
continue to work and proclaim his kingdom. They should continue to pray and get
to know God more. That way, it will be easy for God to use them, because they
are aligned with Him, they are in tune with Him.
What
are my concerns and fears right now? Do I know that God has me covered? Do I
trust his word? Do I do my part as I wait for his plans to come to fruition?
May
we be strengthened by God’s promise, and be inspired to do our part while
waiting for the completion of it.
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 promise. Thank you that you have me
covered. Lord, sorry for doubting. Sorry for not trusting in you enough. Sorry
for worrying too much. I ask that you give me faith to believe, and the will do
act. Help me do my best to fulfill my part. Help me be faithful and loyal to
you, for I know that as I do my best, it will be easier for you to use me.
amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
July 12 2019
Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 387
Lectionary: 387
Reading
1 GN 46:1-7, 28-30
Israel
set out with all that was his.
When he arrived at Beer-sheba,
he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
There God, speaking to Israel in a vision by night, called,
"Jacob! Jacob!"
He answered, "Here I am."
Then he said: "I am God, the God of your father.
Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt,
for there I will make you a great nation.
Not only will I go down to Egypt with you;
I will also bring you back here, after Joseph has closed your eyes."
So Jacob departed from Beer-sheba,
and the sons of Israel
put their father and their wives and children
on the wagons that Pharaoh had sent for his transport.
They took with them their livestock
and the possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan.
Thus Jacob and all his descendants migrated to Egypt.
His sons and his grandsons, his daughters and his granddaughtersB
all his descendants—he took with him to Egypt.
Israel had sent Judah ahead to Joseph,
so that he might meet him in Goshen.
On his arrival in the region of Goshen,
Joseph hitched the horses to his chariot
and rode to meet his father Israel in Goshen.
As soon as Joseph saw him, he flung himself on his neck
and wept a long time in his arms.
And Israel said to Joseph, "At last I can die,
now that I have seen for myself that Joseph is still alive."
When he arrived at Beer-sheba,
he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
There God, speaking to Israel in a vision by night, called,
"Jacob! Jacob!"
He answered, "Here I am."
Then he said: "I am God, the God of your father.
Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt,
for there I will make you a great nation.
Not only will I go down to Egypt with you;
I will also bring you back here, after Joseph has closed your eyes."
So Jacob departed from Beer-sheba,
and the sons of Israel
put their father and their wives and children
on the wagons that Pharaoh had sent for his transport.
They took with them their livestock
and the possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan.
Thus Jacob and all his descendants migrated to Egypt.
His sons and his grandsons, his daughters and his granddaughtersB
all his descendants—he took with him to Egypt.
Israel had sent Judah ahead to Joseph,
so that he might meet him in Goshen.
On his arrival in the region of Goshen,
Joseph hitched the horses to his chariot
and rode to meet his father Israel in Goshen.
As soon as Joseph saw him, he flung himself on his neck
and wept a long time in his arms.
And Israel said to Joseph, "At last I can die,
now that I have seen for myself that Joseph is still alive."
Responsorial
Psalm PS
37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
R.(39a) The salvation of the just comes
from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
They are not put to shame in an evil time;
in days of famine they have plenty.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
For the LORD loves what is right,
and forsakes not his faithful ones.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
They are not put to shame in an evil time;
in days of famine they have plenty.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
For the LORD loves what is right,
and forsakes not his faithful ones.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Alleluia JN
16:13A, 14:26D
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
When the Spirit of truth comes,
he will guide you to all truth
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
When the Spirit of truth comes,
he will guide you to all truth
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT
10:16-23
Jesus
said to his Apostles:
"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes."
"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes."
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