JOSHUA recounts the Sacred History and Divine Providence in the life of Israel.
"Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people:
“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: In times past your fathers, down to Terah, father of Abraham and Nahor, dwelt beyond the River and served other gods.
"But I brought your father Abraham from the region beyond the River and led him through the entire land of Canaan.
"I made his descendants numerous, and gave him Isaac. To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I assigned the mountain region of Seir in which to settle, while Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.
“Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and smote Egypt with the prodigies which I wrought in her midst.
"Afterward I led you out of Egypt, and when you reached the sea, the Egyptians pursued your fathers to the Red Sea with chariots and horsemen.
"Because they cried out to the Lord, he put darkness between your people and the Egyptians, upon whom he brought the sea so that it engulfed them.
"After you witnessed what I did to Egypt, and dwelt a long time in the desert, I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I delivered them into your power. You took possession of their land, and I destroyed them, the two kings of the Amorites, before you.
"Then Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, prepared to war against Israel. He summoned Balaam, son of Beor, to curse you; but I would not listen to Balaam. On the contrary, he had to bless you, and I saved you from him.
"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 which you had not tilled and cities which you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.” (Joshua 24: 1 - 13).
Friday August 18th 2023 in the 19th Week of Ordinary Time.
Our key Scripture for today is from Joshua 24: 1 - 13.
Call this Scripture: The Sacred History of Israel and the working of Divine Providence in the People chosen by God to be His family.
What is Divine Providence?
It is the Plan, Purpose, Design, Blueprint in the mind of God for a people or an individual. This Plan or Purpose was not conceived Yesterday. This Design or Blueprint has been in the mind of God from Eternity.
"LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago."
(Isaiah 25: 1 NIV).
God chose and called Abraham to be the Father of the Chosen People. From Abraham, Joshua traced the history to the conquest of the Promised Land.
Do you have a family history? Do you have a personal history of God's dealings in your life, containing the landmarks, Ups and Downs? Do you have a personal diary, a journal recording important events in your life?
Today's first Reading is to challenge us to review our sacred history of God's Providence in our lives. You will be amazed to discover events similar to the following:
“Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and smote Egypt with the prodigies which I wrought in her midst...
"Because they cried out to the Lord, he put darkness between your people and the Egyptians, upon whom he brought the sea so that it engulfed them....
"Once you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you, but I delivered them also into your power....
FINALLY NOTE:
"I gave you a land which you had not tilled and cities which you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.”
From the beginning of the Journey to the End, God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence watched over the people to do them good.
August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10
No comments:
Post a Comment
23-Psalm1to2