A WORD FOR TODAY 14 AUGUST 2023

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*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*BE EMPATHETIC, KIND AND CHARITABLE*

_He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner therefore; for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:18‭-‬19)_‬‬‬‬‬‬_

_*One good way of discerning and understanding the hand of God upon your life is to remember your story and then retell it while taking note of how God helped (especially through people) in ways you did not expect at certain times.*_

_Doing this simple exercise helps us to understand how good God has been to us. One benefit of retelling your story is that it helps you to appreciate how God desires to use you to bless others in turn._

_*From the first reading of the day, we notice that God desires that the children of Israel be kind to sojourners around them simply because they too had been sojourners in Egypt. Yahweh is actually telling them to be empathetic and do charity to the sojourners.*_

_Ordinarily speaking, it does not feel right that one knows through experience what another is going through, and yet does nothing to alleviate the pain when possible. It should be the case that we come to the defence and help of those who are suffering what we had suffered._

_*Our youths must take central place in this consideration. Many adults would always claim that they would have made better decisions if they had certain information while they were younger. Such adults can show that they appreciate the sufferings lack of knowledge have caused them by doing a lot to educate young people so that they can make better decisions.*_

_The elderly too deserve special considerations here. Everyone desires to grow old and so some how we can empathise with the elderly and lonely and know what it will be like to be old and lonely. We can enter into their situation and help them instead of living unconcerned. Let us remember that in our journey on earth so far, we have all passed through and gained experiences that can be used to help someone else. Let us be empathetic, kind and generous. Let us be a blessing and make our world a better place._

_*The story of saint Maximilian Kolbe whom we celebrate today is one based on the devotion to the Blessed Virgin, empathy and a deep concern for the happiness of others. St. Maximillian “heroically offered his life in place of another man who had been selected for execution” at Auschwitz where both were prisoners. Let us learn to be like him in helping others.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Keep smiling😊, be happy and do have a great day. Be the reason for another’s smile today. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Deuteronomy 10:12-22 /Psalm 147:12-13.14-15.19-20/Matthew 17:22-27

*Watch-Word:* Love the sojourner therefore; for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt

_*Now that you have been blessed and helped, be a blessing and helper to someone else.*_

(Monday of the nineteenth week in the ordinary time. Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe.)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*