TOTD, July 18-20

Why Did You Doubt?

When people has doubt about you, whether about some very difficult tasks that may be too big for you, or something that seems almost impossible for you to do, no need to worry as long as you don’t doubt yourself. It’s not that you’re over confident, but moreover because you realize that you have God’s strength which enables you to do anything He plans for you. And whenever you think that you can’t do it, that it’s too hard for you, pray to Him and if it’s within His plan for you, He will equip you. Don’t ever doubt your potential. He has given each of us talents and positive things. And it’s within us. (-fon-)

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
--- Matthew 14:31


The Lord is My Shepherd

It would be difficult to find a more apt description of modern man and women than that of today’s gospel. “ They are like sheep without a shepherd” and we all know that there is nothing more pathetic, lost and helpless than a shepherdless sheep. Where are our shepherds? Who are they? Do they know us? Do they really care? Are they really human at all or are they hidden under the guise of money, which in present chaos, turns us into puppets? Or are they epidemics that make us feel ridiculously inadequate and loud in our pompous contradictions?
“ Come apart” we are advised. But we won’t do so. We choose to linger stubbornly in our entanglement rather than let go of what we long know is futile and self-destructive. How we fear the unknown. How we continue to rely on a recipe for our ills amid the “children of darkness” – the ones who refuse to trust the “light of the world”.
Listening to the beautiful psalm of today “ The Lord is my shepherd” I had to admit that while its words are consoling, if they are no more than pleasant sounds they never become really mine and never become life-giving. I might take today’s psalm and pray over it for the coming week, without any “ifs” and “buts” and learn how far I am from meaning what I say. It could well prove a revelation because there is yet so much hidden behind my cowardice that sorely needs to be uncovered. When it does, not only will Christ really shepherd me as one of His flock, but I too will prove a shepherd to those about me.
( Fr Gerry Keane, SJ).

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
--- Psalm 23:1-4


Do Not Fear, I’m with You

In the midst of the change, either it’s just a minor change or even it’s a major change, like changing countries, changing jobs, having a baby, getting married, etc., some of us might feel scared or worried.
It’s normal, but as the people of faith, we need to trust Him. That our faithful God will be there in every stage of our life. And He keeps reminding me: “ Do not fear, I’m with you!” (-fon-)

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
--- Isaiah 41:10