Powerful Word

The WORD today reminds me how powerful God's word is. 

Nowadays, power is equated to something – a strong military, fast processing, clear images, top speed. all these things are associated with power. However, we see in the gospel how different God’s power is. More simple, but more powerful.

God’s word is powerful.

In the first reading, we see God’s word as his covenant to Abraham. He told Abraham that he will be a father of many nations, and Sarah will bear a child in her own age. Seems impossible, yes. But not with God. We know God kept his word. 

In the gospel, we see a leper being healed with just Jesus’ words. Yes there were actions, but it was his words. His power. His love. Jesus words healed the man. Jesus words were enough to heal the man. That’s how powerful God’s word is. And of course, the faith of the man got him healed. He believed in Jesus power.

When he says he has great plans for us, we should believe it. When he says he is watching over us, we should believe it. God’s word is true and powerful, and we should hold on to it, especially when situations are tough. The leper was probably helpless. No one can help him. No one can heal him. He was dirty and despised by everyone. Situation was against him. Logic was against him. The leper has been living in a difficult situation before he got a chance to go to Jesus. He was tired. Hopeless probably. But those things are not enough to stop God's word from coming true. 

We are still in a tough situation right now, but we should remember that God’s word is more powerful than the pandemic we are in. He is still in control. We just have to believe in him. And do our part to make his love more alive. 

What are the problems I carry right now? How do I feel about these problems? Do I trust God? Do I lift up these things to God? Do I believe his words and promises for me? 

May we be comforted in the love of God and the power of his word.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another Friday. Lord, thank you for always loving me. thank you for always looking after me, especially when I do not feel it and when I do not appreciate it. Lord, sorry for the times I ignore you. Sorry for the times I let the world dictate my feelings. Sorry for letting myself be overwhelmed by the world. Lord, help me have faith in you, your love and your powerful word. I know that whatever situation I may be in, your love is greater and your word more powerful than it. May I always have faith in you. Always. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/01/complete-healing.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/01/reaching-out.html

June 25, 2021

Friday of Week 12; St. William of Vercelli

---

FIRST READING

Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said: “I am God the Almighty. Walk in my presence and be blameless.” 

God also said to Abraham:
“On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you that you must keep: every male among you shall be circumcised.” 

God further said to Abraham:
“As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai; her name shall be Sarah. I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. Him also will I bless; he shall give rise to nations, and rulers of peoples shall issue from him.” Abraham prostrated himself and laughed as he said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Or can Sarah give birth at ninety?” Then Abraham said to God, “Let but Ishmael live on by your favor!” God replied: “Nevertheless, your wife Sarah is to bear you a son, and you shall call him Isaac. I will maintain my covenant with him as an everlasting pact, to be his God and the God of his descendants after him. As for Ishmael, I am heeding you: I hereby bless him. I will make him fertile and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve chieftains, and I will make of him a great nation. But my covenant I will maintain with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you by this time next year.” When he had finished speaking with him, God departed from Abraham.

---

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him. 

Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. 

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him. 

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; Your children like olive plants around your table. 

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him. 

Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

---

ALLELUIA

Matthew 8:17

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

GOSPEL

Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”