A WORD FOR TODAY 14 DECEMBER 2020

A WORD FOR TODAY

TEACH ME YOUR PATHS, O LORD.

_"Make me to know thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation" (Psalm 25:4-5)_

_*When we become ignorant of what the law of the Lord says, we shall begin to act contrary to His commands and that will not bring us any good. The law of the Lord is meant to be our guide as we follow Him.*_

_To know the Lord and to know His ways is the best thing that could happen to any of us. When we know the Lord's ways we shall walk in His path and things shall go well for us. We shall become wise and will not be entrapped by those who are enemies to anything that is good._

_*The prayer of the psalmist is what we should pray everyday. We must ask the Lord to teach us His ways and when we know His ways and do what it commands, things will go well for us.*_

_When we know the way of the Lord we shall not be an obstacle in the path of anyone who follows Him, instead we shall do our best to be a blessing to them, because whoever God has blessed no man can curse._

_*In the first reading of today, Balak invited Balaam the prophet to curse the people of Israel, but he did not do that, rather he pronounced God's blessings upon them. He obeyed God's instructions, instead of being an instrument of destruction in the hand of Balak.*_

_In the gospel reading we see the chief priests and the elders ask Jesus a question just to set a trap for Him. He knew what they were planning and He did not fall into their trap, but made them walk away in confusion with the answer He gave to them. When we know the way of the Lord, we shall walk in His truth and everything will go well for us._

_*Today we celebrate the memorial of St. John of the cross. St John of the Cross (1542 - 1591) He was born in Fontiveros, in Spain, in about 1542. He spent some time as a Carmelite friar before, in 1568, Saint Teresa of Ávila persuaded him to pioneer the reform of the Carmelite order. This was a difficult task and a dangerous one: he suffered imprisonment and severe punishment at the hands of the Church authorities. He died at the monastery of Ubeda in Andalusia on 14 December 1591: the monks there had initially treated him as the worst of sinners, but by the time he died they had recognised his sanctity. Let us learn from him to keep working for God inspite of the persecutions we experience.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a blessed day and a miraculous new week. May God give you the grace to know His ways and to walk in the path of truth. *Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Numbers 24:2-7,15-17/Psalm 25:4-9/Matthew 21:23-27

*Watch-Word:* Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and grant us your salvation

_*Knowing God's ways and walking by it brings blessings. Hold unto Him firmly and you will be happy forever.*_

(Monday of the Third week of Advent. Cycle B)