A WORD FOR TODAY 22 AUGUST 2023

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*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*ON WHOSE MANDATE DO YOU STAND?*

_"And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”(Judges 6:14)_

_*My dear brothers and sisters, God’s word has a beautiful message for us today. It is a message of hope to give us courage and strength in the midst of limitations. The message to embrace today is that the one who is behind you and your projections for life is very important. It determines whether you succeed or not.*_

_In the first reading for today, Gideon is worried that he is not fit to deliver his people. He sees himself and family as unfit and weak such that even though he was aware that God was with Israel, and God was mighty, it made no difference since it was him that was chosen to deliver Israel from the Medianites. Hence the Lord reminded him that it was he the Lord who was sending him to go and deliver Israel! Obviously, the Lord who sent him has the power and might to cause things to favour him._

_*But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you; do not fear, you shall not die.”(Judges 6:23)*_

_My dear friend, let us not be worried about how to succeed because of the limitations we have. Remember that our God is used to ‘turning mourning into dancing’. Our God turns water into wine! Beloved, our part is to ensure that what we seek is approved by God; that we can understand it as God’s desire for our lives. The good news is that the scripture is full with countless dreams of God for our good._

_*Today, we celebrate the Queenship of Mary! Mary is a Queen today because of the mandate of God for her life which she believed and worked with even during the tough times and moments of doubt. We can take courage when we study the stories of humble people like the Blessed Virgin who became so successful and prominent because they believed and trusted in the one who gave the mandate for their lives.*_

_*Today is our chance to take courage for in God’s mandate we stand!*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊 and be happy for our Lord is by us. Do your work and do have a splendid week ahead. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Judges 6:11–24a /Psalm 85:9, 11–12, 13–14/ Matthew 19:23–30

*Watch-Word:* The Lord speaks of peace to his people!

_*The Lord of might is on our side and thats what we need to succeed as we do our part.*_

(Tuesday of the twentieth week in ordinary time. Memorial of Queenship of Mary)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*