Saturday 18th July – Saturday of week 15 of the year

A CRUSHED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK

Reflection: Matthew 12: 14-21

What do you think of the Lord’s mercy? How great do you consider His faithfulness? Perhaps you compare the Lord’s faithfulness to that of fellow men around you. Surely the human mind cannot fully grasp the depth of the Lord’s love and mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5). His mercy is great and it endures forever (Psalm 108:4; Psalm: 136:4). The best of human virtues is nothing to be compared with His.

At some critical times in our spiritual journey, we need to be reminded of the above truth. When we fall into grave sin; when we battle with spiritual dryness and weariness of soul; when it appears the light of our faith is getting dimmer and we are lacking the strength to carry on, let us be reminded of the INESTIMABLE love of God for us. He loves you personally as if you are His only creature. He treasures and seek after every missing sheep of His flock (Matthew 18:12-14). He revives every weary soul that trusts in his Divine mercy.

Dearest in Christ, are you weak and down cast? Are you lacking the spiritual strength to carry on? Please hold unto Jesus! Never give up on His love for you. Never allow the magnitude of your sins or trials to cloud your vision of His mercy. He who is capable of giving life to dry bones seeks to restore you (Ezekiel 37:1-14). You know of David, Samson and Peter; all these had their spiritual low points and dryness but God in His infinite mercy restored them.
Through the dark nights of our souls, let us implore the mercy of God; let us approach the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist for rejuvenation; let us humble our soul with fasting and read His scriptural promises to Him in prayer. Let us seek our Blessed Mother’s intercession with that of other saints of God.  If we do these in faith and hope, we see the amazing power of the Lord’s revival.

PRAYER: You are my hope and refuge dear Lord, please revive my dropping spirit. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 507 – What happens if you find that prayer does not help?

Prayer does not seek superficial success but rather the will of God and intimacy with him. God’s apparent silence is itself an invitation to take a step farther—in total devotion, boundless faith, endless expectation.
Often we say: I have prayed, but it did not help at all. Maybe we are not praying intensely enough. The saintly Curé of Ars once asked a brother priest who was complaining about his lack of success, “You have prayed, you have sighed… but have you fasted, too? Have you kept vigil?”

HIDE A TREASURE: “In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!” Psalm 31:1 RSV-CE

Today’s readings: Exodus 12: 37-42; Psalm 136: 1, 10-15, 23-24; Matthew 12: 14-21