Nineteenth Friday of Ordinary Time

“Once you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you, but I delivered them also into your power. And I sent the hornets ahead of you that drove them (the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites) out of your way; it was not your sword or your bow. I gave you a land that you had not tilled and cities that you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.”

God does so much for us every single day and all of it for our own good. He wants us to prosper and succeed, especially in our spiritual endeavors. He wants us to follow Him into the Promised Land and will do everything in His power to guide and protect us. However, we need to remember our accomplishments are not our own, they are God’s victories… triumphs He has won for us. Without Him we would be utter failures in all we think, say, and do. It is not our brains, tongues, or arms that lead to our good fruits, but rather the Wisdom, Word, and Strength of God made manifest through us.

How do we thank God for all He has, is, and will do for us? What can we do to keep ourselves humble when we do have success be it worldly or spiritual? In what ways can we prepare our bodies, minds, and hearts to be vessels for God’s Goodness?

O Lord, it is when we allow you to work in and through us that we are most successful.

Amen.