First Reading: Gn 44:18-21. 23b-29; 45:1-5; Psalm: 105 R. v. 5a; Gospel: Mt 10:7-15

REMEMBERING THE MERCIES OF GOD

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

“I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” (Gn 45:4-5).

One pillar of strength and inspiration we should never forget in life is the role God plays in saving us from the ordeals of life. When we are faced with some challenges in life, at first glance, it may seem that the whole earth is caving in on us while God sits and watch in silence. But time often reveals that we were wrong to have made such hasty conclusions. Our present conditions due to some challenges of life would have been worse were it not for the intervention of God. We may not have survived that accident, food poisoning or illness were it not for God. If we had not lost our previous job, we may not have gotten the one we presently have. Remembering God’s intervention in our cases can give us some soft landing in making certain decisions.

One of the reasons why Joseph easily forgave his brothers was recollecting the role God played in his journey in life. He said to his brothers, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Though the inadequacies of man played a cruel role in the story of Joseph; but above that, Joseph saw the mercies and providence of God more visibly in his life. God is involved in our stories. If we recollected well, we would see the traces of his love.

We should never forget the mercies of God. If we all the time remembered how much God is involved in our stories to lead us to where we presently are, we would love more, forgive more, and be thankful for his mercies. We can always remind ourselves that our conditions could have been worse were it not for the intervention of God. This reminder would give us a different perspective entirely in the decisions we make or are about to make. We can meditate on how thus far God’s love has brought us in John Newton’s Amazing grace:

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I’m found

Was blind but now I see

 

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see your mercies and providence upon our lives so that we may learn thankfulness and love. Amen.