The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/063017.cfm)
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 and first
reading how different God’s power is. More simple, but more powerful.
God’s word is powerful.
In
the first reading, it was simply a word from God that Abraham would have a
child in his old age, and would have numerous descendants. That came true. God
used Abraham's faith and his love, power and great plans. And things came true
just as he spoke it. His words came to pass.
And
in the gospel, we see a leper being healed with just Jesus’ words. Yes there
were actions, ut it was his words. His power. His love. And the faith if
the man that got him healed. That’s how powerful God’s word is.
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. Abraham and Sarah were old when God told
them they would have a son. Situation was against them. Logic was against them.
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 probably in a tough situation right now, but we should remember that God’s
word is more powerful than the situation we are in.
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:
Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 375
Reading 1GN 17:1, 9-10, 15-22
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 PsalmPS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
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.
AlleluiaMT 8:17
Christ took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 8:1-4
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."
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