God is with us

Readings for Monday January 5, 2009

Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

First Reading:  1 John 3:22-4:6

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 2

Gospel:  Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Many years before the birth of our Savior, the prophet Isaiah foreshadowed the birth of Jesus.  The prophet tells the people "the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)  While Isaiah may not have known the full impact of his words, we have been blessed enough to see the fulfillment of God's promise in Christ our Lord.  

"Immanuel" ... in the gospel of Saint Matthew we are told that it means "God is with us."  God is with us; now I don't know about you, but  I cannot help but be excited just from reading those words!  God is with us.  We see in today's gospel that Jesus went to the different towns telling everyone to repent and that the kingdom of God was at hand.  Jesus went around preaching and curing all those who came to Him.  During His earthly life, Jesus was found with the people, He was found with those who needed Him and those who called and came to Him.  Immanuel ... God is with us.  

How amazing is it now that we are so blessed to still have Jesus among us.  He is ever present and always waiting for us to come to Him and to give our lives to Him.  He doesn't hesitate to show us the way to the Father and He doesn't hesitate to cure us of what ails us.  Now, we may have different ideas of what we want to hear or what we think is an appropriate cure, but Jesus knows what is best for us and He knows exactly what we need.  It is important that we never lose trust in Him and in His will for our lives.

Saint John tells us today that "we belong to God."  Let us always remember that He is the one who gave us life, and offers us an eternal life with Him in heaven.  We belong to Him, and He is with us.  

Father above, we thank you for the great gift of this day.   Lord, help us to be better servants of you; sacrificing and serving without worry about ourselves, but only of your will for us.  Lord you are our creator and the giver of all life, may we always cherish life and fight to preserve life in our world.  Lord, we pray for all those who are lost and are trying to find their way, may they find you on their journey.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.