The WORD today reminds me that God always provides.

As a man, I want to be able to provide well for my family. However, there will always be challenges along the way. There will always be reasons and situations that can stress you. And it is fitting that the gospel today reminded me that God will provide. We should just continue to remain dependent on him as we do our part.

He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,

neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,

and let no one take a second tunic

It must have been weird for the disciples when they were told to do these. Proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick, but we are not supposed to bring anything for themselves? Nothing. Not even the basics. Jesus wanted total dependence on the part of his disciples. They were probably thinking, how about us? how about our concerns and needs? Probably these were some things they had on their mind. However, these did not keep them from following Jesus and doing their part.

They obeyed Jesus. They worked. And they trusted in God.

And God took care of them.

In our lives, we too are facing such concerns. There are a lot of things bothering us. A lot of problems weighing us down. However, Jesus is reminding us to just do what we are supposed to do. To just do our part, do our best, and leave the rest to Him. We do not have to understand everything. We do not have to see and plan everything, until the very end. But we should do our best, work, and trust in God... and he will provide.

During this pandemic, a lot of us are worried. A lot of companies have closed down. Jobs have been cut. Those who still have jobs are uncertain. Vaccination seems slow. However, we are reminded today that God provides. He has been providing. And he will continue to do so. We just need to trust in him. And we just need to do our part and live right. He will continue to provide and take care of us.

What are my concerns right now? What are bothering me? What prevents me from fully following God? How do I react to these concerns? Do I let them stress me, or do I have faith in God’s goodness and generosity? What is God telling me today?

May we always be reminded of the goodness and the provision of God, and may this move us to do our best and just trust in Him on things we have no control of.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to experience your love and provision. Thank you for your word that reminds me how much you love me and that you will always take care of me. Lord, sorry for the times I do not trust in you. Sorry for doubting you. Sorry for worrying too much. help me to let go and just trust in you. May I just do my best, while having full faith that as I go along, you will continue to provide for what I need. I know you love me so much and you will always be there. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 451

Reading I

Ezr 9:5-9

At the time of the evening sacrifice, I, Ezra, rose in my wretchedness,
and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees,
stretching out my hands to the LORD, my God.

I said: “My God, I am too ashamed and confounded to raise my face to you,
O my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our heads
and our guilt reaches up to heaven.
From the time of our fathers even to this day
great has been our guilt,
and for our wicked deeds we have been delivered up,
we and our kings and our priests,
to the will of the kings of foreign lands,
to the sword, to captivity, to pillage, and to disgrace,
as is the case today.

“And now, but a short time ago, mercy came to us from the LORD, our God,
who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place;
thus our God has brightened our eyes
and given us relief in our servitude.
For slaves we are, but in our servitude our God has not abandoned us;
rather, he has turned the good will
of the kings of Persia toward us.
Thus he has given us new life
to raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins,
and has granted us a fence in Judah and Jerusalem.”

Responsorial Psalm

Tobit 13:2, 3-4a, 4befghn, 7-8

R.   (1b) Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
He scourges and then has mercy;
   he casts down to the depths of the nether world,
   and he brings up from the great abyss.
No one can escape his hand.
R.   Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Praise him, you children of Israel, before the Gentiles,
   for though he has scattered you among them,
   he has shown you his greatness even there.
R.   Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
So now consider what he has done for you,
   and praise him with full voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness,
   and exalt the King of ages.
R.   Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
In the land of my exile I praise him
   and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.
R.    Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones,
   and may all of you praise his majesty.
Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise.
R.    Blessed be God, who lives for ever.

Alleluia

Mk 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

My Simple Reflection

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

He Provides