A WORD FOR TODAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

CALLED TO PROCLAIM GOD'S KINGDOM

God calls us from time to time and He places upon us the responsibility to go out and proclaim His kingdom. We see in the first reading of today how Ezra the prophet fulfilled his role among the people by standing in the gap between them and God, he fasted and prayed to God in order to obtain favour from the Lord for the people.

He recognised his role as one who has been called to show the people the way to life and he never failed in his duty to tell the people about God and what their responsibility should be towards Him. He interceded on behalf of the people and fulfilled his calling in that manner as it pleased the Lord.

In the gospel reading we see how the apostles were called by Jesus and sent out to go and proclaim the kingdom of God. They were given power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. They did not send themselves, but were sent by Jesus and given all that they will need to overcome the forces of this world.

By virtue of our baptism we have all been called like the apostles and God has given us various gifts that will aid us to proclaim His name. However, our total dependence must be on Him if we are to be successful in fulfilling our mandate. We will succeed if we depend on Him and trust in His power, but we shall fail woefully if we rely on our own power.

If we are going to exercise our duty well as ministers of the gospel and disciples of Jesus, we must stay focused on what God has called us to do, pray fervently and unceasingly and also actively engage ourselves in the vineyard by letting the world know about Christ through our words and deeds and we should never be afraid or tired of doing it because the Lord will be with us and He will give us the power to overcome. In order to achieve this we must detach our hearts and mind from material things so as to be able to travel light as recommended by Jesus.

Our ministry should bring healing of body and soul to those we encounter. We must touch lives through what we say and do. God has given us what to give to them and if we stay focused on our calling and act as God requires us to act, we are going to bring joy, healing, peace, unity and other transformations in the lives of those who listen to us. You have called to proclaim God's kingdom, do not let anything stop you from fulfilling this mandate.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a splendid day. May the work you do for Christ win more souls for Him everyday. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Ezra 9:5-9/Tobit 13:1-6,8/Luke 9:1-6

Watch-Word: The kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel.

Do not let God's gift in you be a waste, do something for God with what He has given you and you will win souls for Him.

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