Daily Gospel Reflection for August 7, 2016 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel: Luke 12, 32-48 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Abraham looked forward to the city whose architect and maker is God"

I will never forget that Friday evening in September of 2010 when Fr. Paul said "God always has his hand opened for us, our responsibility is to reach back to him and take it." Although a very simple statement this became a central turning point in my life. Never had anyone, with such simplicity told me how simple it was to encounter God. Of course, I had to take stock in my life, separate from what was keeping me from God, and put that life within His hands. This was not brought on by any deaths in the family, crisis at work, critical diagnosis or anything that might shake your foundations. Instead, it was said in the greater context of a talk, where I was attending just for curiosity, on having a plan for life.

"..and without faith it is impossible to please God" Heb 11:6. Abraham "sojourned" from place to place with his family and was even ready to offer up Isaac! He had faith that God would raise Isaac from the dead because God had told him that "through Isaac descendants shall bear your name." I have often found myself questioning the will of God in my life and those of my family. Death, financial crises, familial issues all can have the effect of making people question what God is doing and how he can let some of these awful things happen. We know that in these times He is the solid rock of "rock bottom" and wants us to be in union with him.

I've found that the rewards far outweigh the difficulties of humbling yourself to God and His will.

Ponder:

Do I look at every setback or challenge as an opportunity to humble myself before God and look to him for guidance through prayer?

Pray:

Lord, grant me the humility to discern and follow your will especially in the most difficult of times.

Copyright 2016 Michael Kotary

My college sweetheart and I have been married for 14 years we have 4 beautiful children. We've lived all over the country and I often get the question "Are you Mormon, or military?" I proudly respond that we're Catholic and move for my work.