25 October, Saturday — In Everything, Give Praise to the Lord

Saturday of Week 29 in Ordinary Time

Gen 3:9-15,20
Mt 1:1-16,18-23

My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour

As I read today’s Psalm, it had me thinking why it is shown that God brings good, yet also allows unfortunate things to happen. At the same line where it’s mentioned that a barren woman bears a child, it was also mentioned that the fruitful wife bears no more. Except for the first stanza, all stanzas talked about fortunate and seemingly unfortunate events.

It would be presumptuous of me to think that I would always end up on the better side of the coin. And when I do end up with the short end of the stick, would that mean God has forsaken me? Today’s Psalm reminded me that everything happens with God’s permission. That’s why in everything, we have to give praise to the Lord; and I mean, in everything.

However, I really believe it’s not an easy task. How can we be singing God praises if we’ve lost a job? How can we be grateful if a loved one passes away? How can we find the goodness when everything around us feels dark? How can we rejoice if we are left with nothing?

I believe we could only do so if we allow God to continue holding our hands. If we allow ourselves to continue receiving God’s grace to tide us through tough times. That is why I think when we are enjoying a season of bountifulness, we should try to ask for the grace to keep on holding to God when it becomes difficult.

One of the prayers I prayed before was to tell God to continue holding my hand, because I don’t trust myself to keep on holding to him. So perhaps, we could pray today for God’s grace to tide us through the valley of darkness. We could pray for God to give us the grace to continue giving praise to him in all things.

And I also ask that we pray for our brothers and sisters who are experiencing hardships. While we ask God for the grace for them, perhaps we can also praise our Lord on their behalf. After all, we are all journeying together towards heaven. And we can strengthen each other through prayer.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Villa)

Prayer: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for always being with me. You are my treasure.