The WORD today reminds me that what other people think cannot stop God from fulfilling his saving plans for us.
Sometimes we feel that a single mistake or missed opportunity caused us to lose on something. Sometimes we feel that our past mistakes prevent us from having a great future. Sometimes we feel that because we do not have the right connections or the right opportunities, we will not succeed. Sometimes we feel that because of an incident or a decision, we missed the opportunity to grow. This may be true in some aspect, but not with God’s kingdom.
What other people think or do cannot stop God from fulfilling his great and saving plans for us.
In the gospel, we see Jesus healing a man on a Sabbath, in the house of a leading Pharisee. There were many things that could have prevented it – the law prohibiting healing or work to be done on a Sabbath, the Pharisees disagreement with Jesus’ actions, and the situation having Jesus in the territory of the Pharisees. However, these things did not stop Jesus’ healing the man. These things did not delay God’s saving and healing plan for the man.
Nothing and no one is powerful enough to stop God’s plan for you.
No matter what other people say, no matter what the situation may be, no matter what other people do – these things cannot stop God’s great plans for us. Even if people oppose us, even if people bring us down, even if situations challenge us, these cannot stop God’s great plans for us. God’s love and power are greater than all of these combined.
This is a good reminder during these times. We may feel frustrated with how the people in power seem to be responding to the pandemic. They’re still focusing on other things - on elections, politics, and corruption. However, God is still and always in control. His plans cannot be stopped by humans. We should not be frustrated or scared, but just trust in Him and do what we can for Him.
What are my concerns? Do I regret past decisions and actions? Do I feel previous decisions and actions led me to miss out on opportunities? Do I feel that other people delay my growth and prohibit opportunities? What is God reminding me today?
May we be assured that God is not limited by a perfect situation. He does not need a perfect environment for his plans to come to fruition. And may this inspire us to continue trusting in him, and continue to do our best to live right as we wait on his perfect plans for us.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love you and experience your love. Thank you for a very powerful reminder that no one and nothing can stop you from fulfilling your great plans for me. Lord, I am sorry for the times I am impatient and doubt your great plans for me. Sorry for the times I feel that I am trapped, that you cannot do anything for me because of the situation I am in. Sorry for thinking you are like a human being with limitations on external factors. Give me faith. Help me develop and strengthen my faith in you. May I have that great faith in you for I know that nothing and no one can stop your great plans for me. and as I wait for your plans to come true in my life, I will continue to love you, I will continue to serve you, I will continue my best to live right for you. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
see related reflection:
October 30, 2020
Friday of Week 30; Blessed Angelo of Acri
FIRST READING
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the Gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right that I should think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the Gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right that I should think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights.
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights.
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.
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