Daily Reflection: Friday, August 18

Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

I gave you a land that had not tilled

and cities that you had not built, to dwell in;

you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves

which you did not plant.    (Jos 24:13)

Joshua delivers God’s word to his people reminding them of all that God has done for them.  It is the same for us.  

At mass, the gifts of bread and wine are placed on the altar with words that begin “Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread/wine we offer you.”   We may think that we earn what we have, but it has all been given by God.  We have received it all through God’s generosity and we are grateful to the One who has given it.

John Frambes, ofm

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Read also:

This week’s Letter from the Pastor