One of the many ways God triumphs over evil is by making use of evil actions to further His purposes. In the lives of Joseph in today's first reading and Jesus in the Gospel reading, evil actually defeats itself.
Joseph's brothers deliver him into slavery, yet that is the means by which he is delivered to Egypt, where God wanted to use him (Gn 37:20-28). The chief priests delivered Jesus unto death (Mt 26:3ff), but God the Father used the death of Jesus to save the human race. Today's psalm response reads: "Remember the marvels the Lord has done" (see Ps 105:5). God works all things, all disasters, all evil together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rm 8:28).
Throughout Christian history, persecutions of God's holy people have served to strengthen the Body of Christ rather than destroy it. God's Word promises: "No weapon fashioned against [us] shall prevail" (Is 54:17). Therefore, do not be afraid of evil. "Fear is useless, what is needed is trust" (Mk 5:36).
What evil or disaster is wearing you down? Give it to Jesus. Jesus is Lord of the storms (Lk 8:22-25). "Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good" (Rm 12:21).
| PRAYER: | Father, when I am tempted to be intimidated by the forces of evil, give me the grace to fix my eyes on Your glory as did St. Stephen (Acts 7:55ff). |
| PROMISE: | "He made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions." –Ps 105:21 |
| PRAISE: | Even though severely rebuked in front of others by another Christian, Anna accepted the grace of total forgiveness and treated that person with even greater kindness. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College