The abiding and assuring presence of God is all we need to endure the precarious moments of our lives. Hence, today’s readings assure us that our God will be with us throughout our lives. God promises us the continuous presence of the Holy Spirit, who will guide, protect, and strengthen us despite the uncertainties of the end times.
The beauty of life is that we can practice generosity in poverty. That is, we give and share out of the little we have in life. We cannot wait until we have an abundance before we can share it with others. One thing is certain about sharing generously with others out of our limited sources the God of providence never lets us lack anything. He replenished all our giving with abundant blessings, favours and graces.
Nothing brings us greater joy than putting God first, others second, and ourselves. This is the principle of Christian spirituality: God first in all things. The urgent call is to seek God’s kingdom and its righteousness first, and then other things will be added (Mat.6:33).
The Christian life calls to encourage one another at all times. This is the mission entrusted to us by Christ himself. We are challenged to be instruments of God’s healing, teaching reconciling, and leading others back to friendship with God. The best testimony of faith and witness is to uplift others, especially in their weaknesses and failures.
The Mission of Christ and every Christian missionary is the willingness to serve others generously and selflessly. This is the greatest missionary statement of all times: “For the Son of Man has come not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
The way of discipleship is letting go of self-determination to control things, situations, and persons in our lives to be happy and at peace. Today’s readings challenge us to let go of our sense of self-sufficiency, dependence, security, control, possession of power, wealth, and fame.
The Christian Marriage has its foundation in God! It is God’s divine plan for a man and a woman. It is only pro-creational in collaboration with the divine plan. It is also the propagation, nourishment and sustenance of the human race on earth.
Suffering is the way of discipleship of Christ. Discipleship is the process of learning to love and follow Jesus and becoming more like him in our attitudes and actions. It is a commitment to the cross that implies pain, suffering and even death.
The broken God or the brokenness of God is the holistic redemption of man. Hence, the joy of suffering in the Christian living is total submission to God’s will. The suffering of a Christian is never a curse or punishment from God.
Undoubtedly, God is a God of the poor, the needy and the less privileged. A God whose thoughts, words and actions offer us comfort, healing, restoration and transformation from our situations.
The Word of God should be consoling and reassuring, especially to the poor and the seemingly hopeless situations that face us daily. It comforts us at our trials, difficulties and even temptations when we feel like giving up to hopelessness.