A WORD FOR TODAY 5 AUGUST 2023

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*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*BE COMMITTED TO DOING GOOD, NOT EVIL*

_But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodi-as danced before the company, and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.(Matthew 14:6‭-‬8)_‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

_*In the gospel of today, Herod had a celebration. His plan was to do good to his guest and even the daughter of Herodias danced so well that she pleased Herod. However, Herod’s plan was hijacked. Herod’s commitment to do good and making people happy resulted in the death of John the Baptist.*_

_It is good to keep in mind that Herod could have said no to the request for the head of John the Baptist. The power to do good was his own and the choice also was his own. Like many of us who like to do good but end up doing something that is not so good, Herod may want to claim that he was constrained by the circumstance. Dear friend, avoid such excuses, and keep your commitment to the good._

_*There is no need to feel constrained to do something wrong because we will regret it in the end. Besides, the world can be a better place because children of God adopt the call to do good to everyone they can. Keep in mind that the commitment to do good is not founded on the need to reward people for their good work. It is good to do that but the good talked about here is to those who may or may not deserve it; people who you know and those whom you do not know.*_

_*No one is too rich to help everybody and no one is too poor not to have someone he can help. What does good is not how much one has but the willingness and readiness to lift up the burden off another’s shoulder. A person does not need to have more than enough before he gives or do good.*_

_Today’s readings also speak of the Jubilee. Jubilee in today’s text is a season of kindness, fraternal bonding and restoration. Yahweh makes a clarion call to the children of Israel encouraging them to celebrate and do good. It will be nice to appropriate this call to ourselves and make a commitment to bless the lives of those we come across._

_*As you relax this weekend, ponder in your heart the good that is waiting to be done. Think seriously of how you, as a christian, can be a blessing to someone. Open your mind and avoid to think only in terms of money. I also want to assure you of the abundance of the grace of God. When you help someone, you are doing good which really pleases God.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a great day. May Jesus give you power to do the good that you should. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Leviticus 25:1, 8-17/Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8/ Matthew 14: 1- 12

*Watch-Word:* Let the peoples praise you oh God.

_*Keep doing good and be the reason someone will say “thank you Lord.”*_

(Saturday of the seventeenth week in the ordinary time.)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*