Cry

The WORD today reminds me that God hears our cry. 

In one of the first episodes of Modern Family, when Lily was still a baby, they were trying to train her to sleep as she was crying. They can hear her cry, but they try not to go to her so she can be trained. They knew what was happening, however she probably did not feel her dads’ love and attention because of their ignoring her cry.

Sometimes we may feel like that. Sometimes we may feel that God does not love us or does not listen because he seems to be silent. But God knows what is happening to us, even if he seems silent.  He knows what he wants us to learn. and he knows the right time to make his presence felt.

In the first reading, we see this in Hagar and Ishmael. They were sent away. It was not their fault, especially Ishmael, because he was born in that situation. That time Hagar felt they were going to die already, and probably felt God was unfair and was not listening to them. However, God sent an angel to encourage her and comfort her, and eventually saved them from their situation.

God hears our prayers, even if he sometimes appear silent.

Just because God is silent does not mean he is not paying attention. Just because we cannot feel him does not mean he does not care. Just because we are having problems and in pain does not mean God does not love us. He is our loving father, and he knows what we can take, and what we need to grow in faith and to grow closer to him. He watches us closely, and he knows the perfect time to reach out to us.

This is a perfect reminder in this pandemic. We may feel helpless. Response and support of government is frustrating. Double standards. We may feel that there is no light at the end of the long and dark tunnel. But God sees the whole picture. God hears our cries and prayers. We just need to trust in Him. And as we pray and wait, we also need to do our part, just like Hagar continued to walk and saw the water. 

What are my concerns? What are my fears? What are my prayers right now? How is God responding? Is he silent? Do I feel he’s not listening to me? Do I continue to love and trust him? What is he reminding me today? How can I make myself remember his love and power? 

May we be reminded of God’s great love, no matter how silent he may seem sometimes.

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, I am sorry for the times I doubt you. sorry for the times I question you. sorry for the times I feel you are not there, and you don’t care about me because of the pain or discomfort I am in. help me have faith in you. remind me through different things and different people of how much you love me. May my faith grow stronger, that despite of the situation I am in, I may always know and remember you are there and that you love me so much. Help us get through this health crisis. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps 

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2020/07/more-than-knowing.html

June 30, 2021

Wednesday of Week 13; First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

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FIRST READING

Genesis 21:5, 8-20a

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Isaac grew, and on the day of the child’s weaning Abraham held a great feast. 

Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing with her son Isaac; so she demanded of Abraham: “Drive out that slave and her son! No son of that slave is going to share the inheritance with my son Isaac!” Abraham was greatly distressed, especially on account of his son Ishmael. But God said to Abraham: “Do not be distressed about the boy or about your slave woman. Heed the demands of Sarah, no matter what she is asking of you; for it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a great nation of him also, since he too is your offspring.” 

Early the next morning Abraham got some bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away. As she roamed aimlessly in the wilderness of Beer-sheba, the water in the skin was used up. So she put the child down under a shrub, and then went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away; for she said to herself, “Let me not watch to see the child die.” As she sat opposite Ishmael, he began to cry. God heard the boy’s cry, and God’s messenger called to Hagar from heaven: “What is the matter, Hagar? Don’t be afraid; God has heard the boy’s cry in this plight of his. Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand; for I will make of him a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink. 

God was with the boy as he grew up.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor. 

When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. 

Fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for nought is lacking to those who fear him. The great grow poor and hungry; but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing. 

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. 

Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Which of you desires life, and takes delight in prosperous days? 

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

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ALLELUIA

James 1:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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GOSPEL

Matthew 8:28-34

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.