Saturday 19^th July – Saturday of week 15 of the year

Reflection: Micah 2: 1-5

THE LORD, OUR HELPER

The first and the gospel readings today have common theme. We see in the both readings a deadly scheme, an evil mastermind and shear disregard for the power of God.

In the first reading, we see the plight of the righteous man, who cried out to God about the evil plans of the wicked; how they oppress the poor, take away justice, and conclude that God will not avenge, God cannot see them nor take action against them. In the Gospel, we see that their offspring have perfected the plans of their fore fathers, and now, they plan to kill even the Holy One himself. They scheme, plan and take counsel, all on how to kill Christ. Then, in the Psalms, we hear the heartfelt cry, “do not forget the poor oh Lord!

The Psalmist says “of the fatherless, you are the helper”. In these words we find the assurance that despite the scheming and plans, the counsel of the wicked will fall to naught for the Lord our God is our helper. The word of God says, surely, they will gather, but if the gathering is not of the Lord, they will scatter. Indeed, the wicked will take counsel, they will plan, yes, they will form weapons of warfare, and even make a loud boast, but, because it is not of the Lord, they will not succeed!!!

Dear friends, our duty is like that of Jesus: to go about doing good, preaching the gospel, and curing people of all kinds of diseases, be it of body, of soul or of the spirit. And when you have done this, do not forget to pray, like the Psalmist of today, and the Lord our helper will quash the plans of the wicked.

PRAYER: Lord, you reign, forever you are the same, and you bring your enemies to their knees in your presence. Frustrate the plans of our foes, and grant us your peace, for we have placed all our hopes in you. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 292 May we do something bad so that good can result from it?

No, we may never deliberately do something evil or tolerate an evil so that good can result from it. Sometimes there is no other course of action but to tolerate a lesser evil in order to prevent a greater evil.

HIDE A TREASURE: “To be afraid of men is a trap; whoever trusts in the Lord will be safe” Proverbs 29: 25 CCB

Readings for Today: Micah 2: 1-5; Psalm 10: 1-4, 7-8, 14; Matthew 12: 14-21