Maoni yangu binafsi juu ya masuala mbalimbali yanayoendelea duniani

Uhakika
 
Evening Reflection (QT)
Introduction
The LORD offers Habakkuk a vision of justice, saying that the Babylonians will be punished according to the way they have treated others. This vision is borne out by history: the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and stole the treasures of Israel’s temple. Yet by 539 B.C., the Babylonian leaders became so weak that King Cyrus of Persia captured the city of Babylon without a fight.
Reflection
Several New Testament writers use Habakkuk 2:4 (see Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 10:38). In what way can this verse be a source of comfort and strength to you? The “proud” (verse 5) likely refers to the Babylonians. But it also refers to those who take pride and place their trust in their own abilities, power, or wealth rather than trusting God. Does pride ever interrupt your relationship with God? If so, what steps do you take to restore your relationship with God? In verses 9-17, the messages of doom are most likely directed at the Babylonians. In what ways will they be punished for the ways they have treated others?
Pray
Gracious God, forgive me for my foolish pride, and remind me that you are the source of all things. Keep me faithful to you and make me a humble servant that I may become an agent of your justice and peace.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Habakkuk 2:1-20
Habakkuk 2:1
I will stand at my guard post, and station myself upon the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what answer he will give to my complaint.
Habakkuk 2:2
Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision; Make it plain upon tablets, so that the one who reads it may run.
Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.
Habakkuk 2:4
See, the rash have no integrity; but the just one who is righteous because of faith shall live.
Habakkuk 2:5
Indeed wealth is treacherous; a proud man does not succeed. He who opens wide his throat like Sheol, and is insatiable as death, Who gathers to himself all the nations, and collects for himself all the peoples—
Habakkuk 2:6
Shall not all these take up a taunt against him, and make a riddle about him, saying: Ah! you who store up what is not yours —how long can it last!— you who load yourself down with collateral.
Habakkuk 2:7
Will your debtors not rise suddenly? Will they not awake, those who make you tremble? You will become their spoil!
Habakkuk 2:8
Because you plundered many nations, the remaining peoples shall plunder you; Because of the shedding of human blood, and violence done to the land, to the city and to all who live in it.
Habakkuk 2:9
Ah! you who pursue evil gain for your household, setting your nest on high to escape the reach of misfortune!
Habakkuk 2:10
You have devised shame for your household, cutting off many peoples, forfeiting your own life;
Habakkuk 2:11
For the stone in the wall shall cry out, and the beam in the frame shall answer it!
Habakkuk 2:12
Ah! you who build a city by bloodshed, and who establish a town with injustice!
Habakkuk 2:13
Is this not from the LORD of hosts: peoples toil for what the flames consume, and nations grow weary for nothing!
Habakkuk 2:14
But the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s glory, just as the water covers the sea.
Habakkuk 2:15
Ah! you who give your neighbors the cup of your wrath to drink, and make them drunk, until their nakedness is seen!
Habakkuk 2:16
You are filled with shame instead of glory; drink, you too, and stagger! The cup from the LORD’s right hand shall come around to you, and utter shame shall cover your glory.
Habakkuk 2:17
For the violence done to Lebanon shall cover you, and the destruction of the animals shall terrify you; Because of the shedding of human blood, and violence done to the land, to the city and to all who live in it.
Habakkuk 2:18
Of what use is the carved image, that its maker should carve it? Or the molten image, the lying oracle, that its very maker should trust in it, and make mute idols?
Habakkuk 2:19
Ah! you who say to wood, “Awake!” to silent stone, “Arise!” Can any such thing give oracles? It is only overlaid with gold and silver, there is no breath in it at all.
Habakkuk 2:20
But the LORD is in his holy temple; silence before him, all the earth!

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Thank you!
 
15TH OCTOBER 2023

TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

FIRST READING
The Lord will prepare a feast and will wipe away tears from all faces.
ISAIAH 25: 6 - 10a

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines of fat things full of marrow, of choice wines well refined. And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.

The Word of the Lord.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalms 23: 1 - 3a, 3b - 4, 5, 6 (R.) 6cd.

R/. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for length of days unending.

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me;
he revives my soul. R/.

He guides me along the right path,
for the sake of his name.
Though I should walk in the valley
of the shadow of death,
no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R/.

You have prepared a table before me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. R/.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
For length of days unending. R/.


SECOND READING
I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
PHILIPPIANS 4: 12 - 14, 19 - 20

Brethren: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord.


GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Ephesians 1: 17 - 18

Alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we might know what is the hope to which he has called us.
Alleluia.


GOSPEL
Invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.
MATTHEW 22: 1 - 14

At that time: Again Jesus spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people, in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.’ But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the streets, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.

The Gospel of the Lord.
 
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