A WORD FOR TODAY 1 AUGUST 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*SPEAK THE TRUTH ALWAYS*

_"Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds"(Matthew 14:20)_

_*In the first reading of today, we see how the prophet Hananiah started speaking to the people about what will happen in the future. He wanted to brag before them that he was a true prophet sent by the Lord, but it was not to be so, because the prophet Jeremiah challenged him and exposed him.*_

_He lied just to make the people see him as a great prophet, but he was deceiving the people. He spoke what the Lord has not mandated him to speak. He tried to maintain his influence on the people with his fake prophecy, but God exposed him through the prophet Jeremiah._

_*We find this kind of attitude among us in this generation. People tell lies just to make themselves look great in the eyes of others. There are many false and fake prophets who tell lies everyday to their members. They know God has not spoken to them, but they claim that it is God who sent them and the gullible will always fall for their double-talk or razzmatazz.*_

_Jesus spoke the truth to the people when He came and Jeremiah spoke the truth to the people as was instructed by the Lord. John the baptist was also killed by Herod because of the truth. They simply spoke the truth without compromise and they did not lie so as to make the people love them, instead, they followed the path that gives life, though they suffered and died for the sake of God._

_*As a good prophet Jesus cared about the welfare of the people and we see it visibly shown in the gospel reading of today. He made provisions to teach and feed them and at the end of their encounter with Him, they were all satisfied.*_

_If we know the truth and teach the truth, we shall be a prophet like Jesus and we shall bring life and not death to those who encounter us. We must show compassion to others, bring healing to the sick, enlighten the ignorant and make the weak to become strong. We must speak the truth always and teach others to do the same. This is the only way we can represent Jesus well here on earth._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a beautiful day and a miraculous new month. May the Lord give you the grace to speak the truth always. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.*_

*Meditation:* Jeremiah 28:1-17/Psalm 119:29,43,79,80,95,102/Matthew 14:13-21

*Watch-Word:* Teach me your statues, O Lord

_*Speak the truth, live by the truth and teach others to proclaim the truth always and Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life shall be your friend.*_

(Monday of the eighteenth week in the ordinary time. Year II. Memorial of St. Alphonsus Ligouri)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*