A WORD FOR TODAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

YOU TOO CAN BE A BROTHER OR SISTER TO JESUS

The response of Jesus in the gospel reading of today to those who came to tell Him that His mother and brethren are standing outside desiring to see Him is a profound truth which anyone who seeks to follow Him will take to the heart.

He was teaching the people and they were listening to Him, learning from Him the things that will help them to live well as children of God. His response was not an insult or a sign of disrespect to the mother and those who came with her, but He needed to let the people know that being his mother and brethren is something that goes beyond mere biological connection, but is more Spiritual. This means, that if we hear God's word and do it we too will become Jesus' mother and brethren.

It is not enough to claim to belong to God, if we do not make sincere and honest effort to do God's will. Our Blessed Mother heard God's word through the Angel Gabriel, she accepted it and did what the Lord commanded. She allowed God's will to be done in her life and today she is a wonderful and perfect example to anyone who truly wants to follow Jesus.

Hearing the word of God is not enough if we do not go a step further to let the Word take root in us and we strive to put it into practise. If we must be a brother and sister to Jesus, we must do like our Mother Mary did, we must hear God's Word and we must do God's will. This is the only condition for us to become a brother and sister to Jesus.

When we hear God's Word and do what the Lord commands we shall prosper like the people of Israel in the first reading who hearkened to the decree of the King and rebuilt their temple. They obeyed the law of the Lord and things worked well for them.

If we intend to be fruitful in this life and to prosper, we must be ready to let God's will be done in our lives. We must create time to read, study and meditate on the Word of God in the Scriptures everyday and it shall become food for our soul and guide for our daily living. The person who nourishes His life everyday with God's Word and allow the Word to take root in him or her will always bear wonderful fruits of good works for Christ.

We must honour and respect our Mother Mary for she is foremost among those who heard God's word and kept it. She is a shining example for us and we must try to emulate her and continue to follow Jesus everyday doing His will and living a life that will impact on others.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a wonderful day. May Jesus give you the grace to always do God's will and may He make you to prosper. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Ezra 6:7-8,12,14-20/Psalm 122:1-5/Luke 8:19-21

Watch-Word: Blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and keep it.

Obedience to God's Word is the best way to become a brother and sister to Jesus. Keep doing God's will and you shall prosper.

(Tuesday of the 25th week in the Ordinary Time, Year 1)