It's About God, Not You

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082217.cfm) reminds me to trust in God, his love and his power, and not focus in me and my human limitations. 

A lot of people have self esteem problems. We do not feel so good about ourselves. We have issues and concerns. And these things come out as we deal with others. In the first reading, we also see this. God called Gideon and asked him to serve God. However, Gideon had issues. initially did not receive it well. He had a lot of doubts, of questions…

But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?

My family is the lowliest in Manasseh,

and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.”

Why was he like this? Was he not trusting God? Does he think God is not that powerful?

A lot of times we are also like Gideon. When God asks us to do something for him, something we think is big or something we have not done before, we tend to question – “why me?” or “Can I really do it?.” This shows one thing – we focus too much on ourselves. We focus on what we think we can do, on what we have previously done, on what we think we are capable of.

God can do what we cannot. 

God does not choose based on our qualiications. He looks at our heart. And as we are called to serve him in different ways, we should not doubt as we look at ourselves. Rather, we should focus on him and be excited at what he can accomplish as he uses us. The gospel says that nothing is impossible with God. He can do anything, and he can do mighty things to us and through us.

May we not look at ourselves and instead, focus on God, for God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder and inspiration. Lord, I am sorry for looking at and focusing on myself as you call me, thinking that it is only through my abilities that I can serve you.  Sorry for the times I doubt you, times I doubt your powers and what you can do to me and through me. Also, I am sorry for the times I feel so confident and proud and believe I can do whatever you want me to do because of my own abilities and talents. Put my heart in the right place. Increase my faith. May I focus on you as I serve you, never on myself. May I always remember how great your love for me is, and how powerful you are. That as long as I allow you to, you can and will use me mightily for your purpose and glory. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/08/possible.html

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August 22, 2017
Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 420

Reading 1JGS 6:11-24A

The angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth in Ophrah
that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite.
While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press
to save it from the Midianites,
the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said,
"The LORD is with you, O champion!"
Gideon said to him, "My Lord, if the LORD is with us,
why has all this happened to us?
Where are his wondrous deeds of which our fathers
told us when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?'
For now the LORD has abandoned us
and has delivered us into the power of Midian."
The LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have
and save Israel from the power of Midian.
It is I who send you."
But Gideon answered him, "Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?
My family is the lowliest in Manasseh,
and I am the most insignificant in my father's house."
"I shall be with you," the LORD said to him,
"and you will cut down Midian to the last man."
Gideon answered him, "If I find favor with you,
give me a sign that you are speaking with me.
Do not depart from here, I pray you, until I come back to you
and bring out my offering and set it before you."
He answered, "I will await your return."

So Gideon went off and prepared a kid and a measure of flour
in the form of unleavened cakes.
Putting the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot,
he brought them out to him under the terebinth
and presented them.
The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and unleavened cakes
and lay them on this rock; then pour out the broth."
When he had done so,
the angel of the LORD stretched out the tip of the staff he held,
and touched the meat and unleavened cakes.
Thereupon a fire came up from the rock
that consumed the meat and unleavened cakes,
and the angel of the LORD disappeared from sight.
Gideon, now aware that it had been the angel of the LORD,
said, "Alas, Lord GOD,
that I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!"
The LORD answered him,
"Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die."
So Gideon built there an altar to the LORD
and called it Yahweh-shalom.

Responsorial PsalmPS 85:9, 11-12, 13-14

R. (see 9b) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace
To his people, and to his faithful ones,
and to those who put in him their hope.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Alleluia2 COR 8:9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
"Who then can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible."
Then Peter said to him in reply,
"We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?"
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."