Friday of week 30 in Ordinary Time 


Philippians 1:1-11

Psalm 110(111):1-6

Luke 14:1-6



… By his pure and peaceful light, all darkness and deceit are dispelled.


The Lord knows our secrets, emotions, and thoughts. In today’s Gospel, the lawyers and Pharisees watched Jesus, wondering whether he would heal the man with dropsy on the Sabbath. They remained silent, perhaps recognizing that Jesus could offer this man what they could not. In the end, he revealed the inconsistency in their response.


There is nothing we can hide from God. Just as he knew their thoughts, he also knew the thoughts of the man with dropsy. The man’s body was swollen with excess fluid in his tissues, yet he may have felt unable to speak because of those watching him in silence. Perhaps he felt uneasy about their view of life, but Christ was not deterred. He continued to do good works and perform wonders. He accomplished all things well. By his pure light, darkness and deceit faded away.


Is there something you do that you have not yet given your best effort? What prevents you from doing good works and doing it well ? What has become a barrier to your prayer time and selfless service? Do the people around you ever leave you feeling discouraged or intimidated? Are you troubled by the opinions of others? Do you show compassion toward those around you?


People may observe us and notice our weaknesses, but we do not live merely to please them. Let us keep our minds fixed on God’s will and focus on what we hope to achieve as Christians. With this attitude, we can strive to do our best wherever we find ourselves. Let us live with openness and integrity rather than allowing concern about others' scrutiny to guide us. Honesty is the best policy.


Prayer 


Heavenly Father, I thank you for the grace of another day, and I ask for your grace and blessings upon us, your children, who need your merciful love.Keep us safe from harm as we draw closer to the end of this month and the end of the year. As your plan unfolds in my life, grant me the strength to carry out your will. May you continue to feed us with your finest wheat and pasture us like lambs in your arms. Amen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  TESTIFYING TO THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTERTIDE Acts 4:23-31 Psalm: Ps.2:1-9 John 3:1-8 We are diving back into the thrilling narrative of the Acts of the Apostles, where boldness and faith collide! Picture this: Peter and John stand before the powerful Sanhedrin, fearlessly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite the intimidating circumstances, they share the incredible news of Christ’s Resurrection. After a tense deliberation, the court orders them to stop speaking in Jesus’ name. But did Peter and John back down? No way! They promised to remain true witnesses to what they had seen and heard. Threatened but undeterred, they walk away, and that's just where our excitement begins this morning! As they return from that daunting encounter, Peter and John can’t contain their joy. “We preached to the Sanhedrin!” they declare. “They told us not to spread the word about Jesus!” The stakes are high, but instead of feeling disheartened, ...
Read more
Image
  Thursday of week 7 in Ordinary Time  Ecclesiasticus 5:1-10 Psalm 1:1-4,6 Mark 9:41-50 DELAY NOT YOUR CONVERSION  In our first reading from Sirach, the author emphasizes, “Delay not your conversion to the Lord.” This statement, positioned toward the conclusion of the reading, encapsulates the preceding content and aligns with the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel reading, both highlighting the essence of what it means to undergo conversion to the Lord. Sirach cautions against reliance on material wealth and personal strength, suggesting that a fundamental shift in mindset necessary for conversion is one of surrender. As individuals draw nearer to God, there is a growing recognition of the necessity to submit to divine will, prioritizing reliance on God over our capabilities. This process is inherently humbling and often challenging to accept, yet it is the pathway to authentic peace and serenity. Personal attempts to navigate life independently, outside of God's guidance,...
Read more
Image
  Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)   Jer 20.10-13;   Ps 68;   Rom 5.12-15;   Mt 10.26-33 Do not be afraid. The fear of the Lord guides us into the realm of wisdom. The presence of God should inspire awe, wonder, and a profound sense of reverence. Here, 'fear' does not refer to shock, horror, or terror, but to the deep respect one feels in the presence of a being that transcends our senses and the material universe—a recognition of the divine beyond external appearances. This reverence should motivate us to act according to God's will. To fear the Lord means to obey Him, which in turn grants us the wisdom of the heart and enlightens our minds. Consider the fears prevalent in today’s world. We face significant threats: tyranny, deception, violence, and unrest that continuously threaten societal stability. The magnitude of twentieth-century warfare—resulting in more casualties than all previous history—underscores this danger. The increasing number of marty...
Read more