Friday 7 July
Friday of week 13 in Ordinary Time First Friday: Let us entrust ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus First reading - Genesis 23:1-4,19,24:1-8,62-67 “He will now send his angel ahead of you, so that you may choose a wife for my son there”. Yes, the plan of God is experienced by those who are led by angels. The story of Isaac finding Rebekah is very much inspired the intervention of the Lord. The story of salvation is guided by the Lord in its details from the Lord. The positive experience with the Lord is that the God takes the initiative and God paves the way for what He wants. Isaac is finding Rebekah and he loved her. God helps that. The life with God is a life where God interacts constantly. The life with God is a life where even God assists us in small details. Let’s reflect: how much I let God in my life?
Thursday 6 July
Thursday of week 13 in Ordinary Time Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin, Martyr First reading - Genesis 22:1-19 “God put Abraham to the test”. This is what we read in the first sentence of this day. The first thing which comes to our mind is the question, “why does God want to put into a test?”. It is not that God puts us into a test. This is a reality of our daily life. Our faith in God is being test in all ways. The basic reality of temptation in our life is the freedom of man. The freedom of man is tested every time when we must make the choice. The basis of this choice must be “On the mountain the Lord provides” as the Word of God says. The point of our choice is to see the greatness of God instead of the pain of sacrifice we think we must make for the Lord. The greatness of the Lord does not permit us to suffer but we imagine that we would suffer if we chose the Lord. So, let’s be smart to understand the greatness of God before our temptation to go against the Lord with the freedom He gave us. Let’s reflect: Am I giving importance to the Lord or to the choice I have?
Wednesday 5 July
Wednesday of week 13 in Ordinary Time Saint Antony Mary Zaccaria, Priest First reading - Genesis 21:5,8-20 “This greatly distressed Abraham because of his son, but God said to him, ‘Do not distress yourself on account of the boy and your slave-girl”. Abraham was put in a very difficult situation of choice. He couldn’t find a solution. But God gives him a solution. A solution which God accompanies in both cases. There are different situations in our life we find ourselves distressed because of difficult choices. Listen to God and He will give you a solution. The relation with God is vital in these situations. That relationship guides you to go these stressful situations. Instead of getting angry or depressed or annoyed, listen to God in our distressed moments to get guidance and everything will be fine. Let’s reflect: Am I listening to my relationship to God in my stressful situations or getting distressed?