Tag Archives: God’s purpose

GOD CAN USE YOUR ENEMY

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Friday 17th March – Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent (Feast of St Patrick)

Reflection: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28

 GOD CAN USE YOUR ENEMY

The enemies of our progress in life come through diverse ways such as a weakness in us, our family background, a person who wishes our downfall, unpleasant situations etc. Many have abandoned the course of destiny because they couldn’t see beyond the present. They see others moving fast in their own tracts and because of the limitations they experience, they neglect their own path to progress.

God alone knows our future and the best pathway for us. In today’s reading, God used Reuben and Judah to carve out his plan for their brother Joseph. Our God who controls the heart of kings used them to accomplish his work in Joseph’s life despite their evil plans. When they spoke, none of the other brothers could interrogate them because God was speaking through them. Many instances have gone by in our lives when the worst circumstances turned out to be a glorious story. Can we recall them? Do we ever remember the wonders of the Lord just as the psalmist says today (Psalm 105:5-6)?

Beloved, in the dry pits of life’s challenges, Jesus is there for you to draw you up again. Nothing can stop His plan for our lives when we simply trust and obey him. The Scripture assures us that all things works together for good, for those that love God and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Let us therefore be courageous in our dealings with others today – even those who seek our downfall. Let us surrender all to Jesus who can turn the worst situations into a perfect story.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to you today. Strengthen me in the face of persecution and guide me in the path of peace and fulfilment. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 51 – If God is all-knowing and all-powerful, why does he not prevent evil?

“God allows evil only so as to make something better result from it” (St. Thomas Aquinas). Evil in the world is an obscure and painful mystery. Even the Crucified asked his Father, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46). Much about it is incomprehensible. One thing, though, we know for sure: God is 100 percent good…

HIDE A TREASURE: “When you please the Lord, you can make your enemies into friends” Proverbs 16:7 GNB

Today’s Readings: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28; Psalm 105: 16-21; Matthew 21:33-46

 

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PREPARED FOR A MISSION

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Wednesday 15th July – Memorial of St Bonaventure, Bishop & Doctor

PREPARED FOR A MISSION

Exodus 3: 1-6, 9-12

None of us is here on earth by accident; we are all creatures of purpose (Jeremiah 1: 5; Isaiah 49:1). No matter the circumstances of our birth or difficulty surrounding our lives we can take consolation in the abiding truth that the Almighty God willed our being. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 13-16), created to show forth the praise of God on earth (1 Peter 2: 9). Despite the good purpose of God for us all, we however cannot fully attain this except we walk with Him in absolute dependence – this demands great humility, faith and obedience.

We can readily see the above play out in the life of Moses. Baby Moses had it rough, Pharaoh was after the life of Hebrew male babies born around His birth (Exodus 1: 15-22). His mother had to hide him for three months ( Exodus 2:1) before God in His amazing plan eventually had him to be raised by the daughter of the very Pharaoh who was after His life ( Exodus 2: 3-10). Having received the best education of his time (Act 7: 22) and raised on royal privileges, Moses considered himself fit and ready to liberate his people. In defence of a Hebrew, he murdered an Egyptian (Exodus 2: 11-15). This made him a fugitive for the next forty years (Acts 7: 23-30). Having lost His royal privileges, he had to live with and work for his father in-law. I consider this a pruning time for Moses during which God worked on him to refine him for his primary assignment in life. He was so pruned that the scripture later referred to him as the meekest man on earth (Number 12:3)!

Beloved in Christ, take a look at the heroes of our faith (Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Elijah, Peter etc.), you see the trend of God working on each of them to refine them for his glorious use. Dear friend, what is the circumstance of your birth or background? Are you going through the pruning process and it appears God is cutting off you all forms of support other than Himself? Are there habits or character flaws God is correcting in you through the situations He has been taking you through lately? Let us fully yield ourselves to Him. Until we die to self, we cannot truly live for God (John 12: 24-26). He gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud (James 4:6).

PRAYER: Father, I acknowledge my nothingness without you. Please prune me; cut away from me all that you do not want in me. Help me to cooperate with your grace that I may live out your primary purpose for my life.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2847 – The Holy Spirit makes us discern between trials, which are necessary for the growth of the inner man, and temptation, which leads to sin and death. We must also discern between being tempted, and consenting to temptation.

HIDE A TREASURE: “My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for temptation” Sirach 2:1 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Exodus 3: 1-6, 9-12; Psalm 103:1-4, 6-7; Matthew 11:25-27