Never Forget That God Has Plans For You

Friday of the 4th week of Eastertide 

Acts 13:26-33
John 14:1-6

The profession of faith we recite at Sunday Mass, known as the Nicene Creed, starts with the statement: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.”

Our faith is based on a loving relationship between the Father and the Son. Although we do not use the word “beget” frequently nowadays, its meaning goes beyond just giving birth – it implies creating and generating.

In today’s psalm response, the Lord tells us: “You are my son, you are my daughter, you are my beloved; this day I have begotten you.” This does not refer to our birth, but to the unbreakable bond of love between God and us. We are the product of love – the love the Father has for Jesus, and the love Jesus has for us.

The love we experience from God should inspire us to love others. Novelist Thomas Mann said, “For the beautiful word begets the beautiful deed.” My parents often said that what we freely receive, we should freely give – meaning, we shouldn’t be stingy or greedy, but be generous and help the needy. Today’s challenge is to find an opportunity to show love to someone, whether it’s a family member, a colleague, or even a stranger in the grocery checkout line.

But first, we need to believe that we are the beloved children of God.

PRAYER

May your hope for divine favor and intervention never be in vain. May God grant you the grace of patience and perseverance that when your dream comes through, your mouth will be filled with laughter and your tongue with praise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Fr Joseph Osho