Friday August 7, 2009

Friday August 7, 2009 of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Deuteronomy 4: 32-40 Psalm 77: 12-16, 21 Matthew 16: 24-26
Psalm Response: “ I remember the deeds of the Lord”

Moses began his discourse on the past by reminding the people of the great wonder of their God. He wasn’t some statue or an imaginary god; He was God, the Almighty One, and the Savior of the Hebrew Nation.
No other country was able to see and hear of their gods. They were mute and had no ears so they couldn’t hear.
“Our God not only presents Himself to us in the fire and smoke but speaks to us from the fire and smoke to let us know His plans for us and the world.”
No other nation ever heard from their god. None was brought out of the slavery of another country by sheer power of His word; nor, did any other nation, no matter how strong, resist the power of the Hebrew Nation led by their GOD INTO THE LAND WHICH WAS His creation, therefore, He could do what He willed with it.
He is our God also. He hasn’t lost any of His ability to save nor to provide for our welfare no matter the obstacles. We must realize His presence and His purpose. Thank Him all ways, always.

When the psalmist says, ”I remember His deeds”, he not only recalls but puts himself in the picture as though he were there when God performed His marvelous deeds.

Jesus, in His charge to His disciples in a paradox tells them they must save themselves by losing themselves. In a way, the only way is through Christ. He showed us the way by giving up His mortal life to take it up again in three days. Perhaps the three days is symbolic of the term we must wait before we are judged to be eternally brought before God to determine our role at His disposal.
When Jesus says some will not taste death, He is speaking of some of our ancestors who will be present when He comes again to bring them to Himself at the time of the tribulation.