A WORD FOR TODAY 27 AUGUST 2023

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwbOuNboJ50/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*THREE SEASONS: UNDERSTANDING THE WAYS OF GOD*

_"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?”(Romans 11:33-34)_

*GOD'S MIND IS DEEP*

_*Our opening passage from the second reading emphasizes how different and special the mind of God is. God’s mind seems to be very far removed from the class and grasp of man. Yet, our title for today’s word suggests that we can understand the ways of God using three seasons.*_

_Notwithstanding, there are no contradictions. It is true that we may not understand what God is doing with the details of our lives but taking an overview of the readings of the day, we can notice three seasons of Gods action._

_*THE PROMISE:* “I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder”_

_*In ‘the promise’ season, God gives his promise and makes us aware. This we can call the main idea of the Old Testament. God promises man’s redemption through Abraham and from the house of David. This is what we notice in the detail of the first reading. God is sticking to revealing his plans. For us today, we are in our season of promise when we begin to know God and all His promises in Jesus Christ.*_

_*THE PERIOD OF WAITING:* “Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.”_

_*The period of waiting is kept alive by a constant reminder of the promise made. There is deep trust in the eternal love of God, just as the response of the psalm of the day portrays, it says, “Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.”*_

_The waiting period is the period of *perseverance in prayer; to build up strength, to hold on to God steadfastly and to totally trust in Him to take care of you and the situation before you* (as todays psalm suggest). Jesus is the promised fulfilment of the promise to David, yet before he is revealed to the world, he tells his disciples to wait: tell no one that I am the Christ yet. There is also for us a time to wait; we wait for God to reveal himself. Those who wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31)_

_*THE FULFILMENT*_

_*In the final analysis, God’s plan and promise to redeem man was fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Christ, through the working of the Holy Spirit. The details from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane was straight and twisted but in the end, God was faithful to his promise. He is still faithful, even today. These three seasons are often the experiences of many persons today. Hence, let it be a guide to us on how we understand God’s ways and relate with him.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Be happy. Smile😊 for it is another beautiful Sunday. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Isaiah 22:19—23 /Psalm138:1-3, 6,8 /Romans 11:33—36/Matthew 16:13—20

_*Watch-Word:* Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands._

_*The promise; the waiting and the fulfilment.*_

(Twenty first Sunday in ordinary time. Year A)

*©ï¸ Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*