The WORD today reminds me that nothing is impossible with God.

As human beings, we base our decisions on facts. On the situation. We take into consideration the scenario, the odds, and what can happen. However, this is not the case with God. He never needs a perfect situation to make his plans come true.

In the gospel, we see the angel appearing to Mary. The angel told Mary that she was to be the earthly mother of God's son. He also told her that her relative in her old age is pregnant as well. Mary has no relations with a man. Elizabeth is old. Seems like an impossible situation, but not for God.

Nothing is impossible for God.

No matter what the situation may be. No matter what the concerns are. No matter what the hindrances are. God's plans can still come true. God is more powerful than anyone and anything. God is more powerful than logic and the situation of the world. We see that his words came true, Mama Mary bore Jesus and Elizabeth bore John. Nothing can stop his plans.

There are probably concerns on our minds. There are things we seem to cannot do anything about. There are situations that seem to powerful. The gospel should remind us that we are not trapped. That God can still do something. Anything. That indeed, whatever the case may be, nothing really is impossible with God. We just need to trust Him.

This is a good reminder as we approach the second Christmas in a pandemic. Government officials are not inspiring. We see corruption. Incompetence. Selfish ambition. Arrogance. And there’s seemingly no end in sight. But we just need to continue to trust in God. He is powerful. He can change the hearts of people. He can make the impossible, possible.

What are my concerns right now? How do I feel about them? What do I do about them? What is God telling me today?

May we always have faith in God, no matter what the situation may be.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week! Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I ignore you. Sorry for the times I don't have enough faith in you. Sorry for the times I let the world stress me. Help me have faith like mama Mary. Help me have faith in you, even if the situation goes against it, even if logic tells me it is impossible. Help me have faith in you all the time, for I know that with you, your love and your power, nothing is impossible. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Lectionary: 196

Reading I

Is 7:10-14

The LORD spoke to Ahaz:
Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God;
   let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
   “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”
Then Isaiah said:
   Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary men,
   must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
   the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
   and shall name him Emmanuel.

Responsorial Psalm

24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R.   (see 7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
   the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
   and established it upon the rivers.
R.    Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
   who desires not what is vain.
R.    Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
   a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
   that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R.    Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 1:26-38

In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

My Simple Reflection

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Nothing Is Impossible