Persevere with Purpose

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100418.cfm) reminds me that I should persevere amidst the challenges, because God always has a purpose for everything.

In the first reading, we still see the story of Job. Not only did he lose almost everything, but people were also ridiculing him and blaming him for what was happening. Talk about adding insult to injury. Not helping at all. His situation was really challenging. Challenging but very inspiring. He struggled but continued to trust in God. He continued to hope in God. He continued to focus on God. 

God has a purpose for everything, so we should always persevere in faith. 

There are times we are faced with a lot of problems and challenges. We may feel like Job. Pushed against the wall. Cannot do anything anymore. Almost at the point of breaking down snd surrender. But Job persevered. Job remained faithful to God. It may not have been all smooth sailing, but Job's faith in and love for God persisted. He did not blame God and was just trusting in God. 

We should persevere like Job. 

There may be easy ways out. There may be worldly ways of getting out of the problems and tough situations. We may have temptations that would require us to lose our values and turn our backs on our faith. But we should persevere and stick with God. We should trust in God. Just as he always watched over Job, just as he was protecting Job, he too is doing that to us. He will not give us what we cannot handle. He will not give us too much. We just need to have faith in Him and expect blessings as we remain loyal to Him. 

What do I do when I feel that my back is against the wall? Do I blame God? Or do I continue to trust God, persevere in faith, and hope in him? What does God do in these situations? Does he let go of me, or does he continue to take care of me no matter what the situation may be?

May we be inspired to persevere in faith, to walk in faith despite all the pain and challenges around us. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I give up on my faith. Sorry for the times I turn my back on you. Sorry for not trusting in you enough. Help me be like Job. Help me have faith in you. Help me persevere and remain in you. I know that you are kind, compassionate and merciful, and you will always be there to watch over me as I do my best to prepare myself for your great plans. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

October 4, 2018

Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lectionary: 458

Reading 1 JB 19:21-27

Job said:

Pity me, pity me, O you my friends,
for the hand of God has struck me!
Why do you hound me as though you were divine,
and insatiably prey upon me?

Oh, would that my words were written down!
Would that they were inscribed in a record:
That with an iron chisel and with lead
they were cut in the rock forever!
But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,
and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
Whom I myself shall see:
my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him,
And from my flesh I shall see God;
my inmost being is consumed with longing.

Responsorial Psalm PS 27:7-8A, 8B-9ABC, 13-14

R. (13) I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Alleluia MK 1:15

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

GospelLK 10:1-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'
Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,
go out into the streets and say,
'The dust of your town that clings to our feet,
even that we shake off against you.'
Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand.
I tell you,
it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day
than for that town."