19 Aug
Tue
20th Week in Ordinary Time
Jdgs. 6:11-24
Ps. 85:8-13
Mt. 19:23-30
(Ps Wk IV)
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"If the Lord is with us, then why is it that all this is happening to us now?" Gideon's complaint, in today's first reading is a recurring complaint in the Old Testa-ment. It is repeated in a number of the psalms, and it is a frequent complaint on the lips of even very holy Christians through the ages. And maybe we have even said such words ourselves in times of distress or anger or frustration. When sufferings or serious problems come, or when we try to understand how the God of love and compassion can "allow" evils and disasters and tragedies to happen in our world, it is maybe easy enough to allow ourselves to add in that little word "if" in front of a statement of faith - "if" there is a God, "if" God is love, "if" God cares or knows. In better moods, we know and feel that the Lord is with us, that He is our loving Father, that there is nothing conditional about His commitment to us. Let us then pray for a strengthening of this faith, so that we don't so easily begin to say "if". But at the same time let's not be discouraged when we cannot understand the ways of God, when (like Job) we may even find ourselves getting angry with God in our prayers. There is no "if" about God. Despite his complaint, Gideon came to recognise that truly the Lord was with him, that he was not going to die, and that the Lord was his peace.



Lord give firmness to our faith, and peace to all of us who turn to You in our hearts, especially in times of trouble and doubt.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That researchers in scientific and technological fields, may welcome the church's incessant calls to make wise and responsible use of the successes they have attained.
Elaboration

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