March 19th, Thursday, Third Week of Lent

2 Samuel 7: 4-5a, 12-14a, 16, Psalm 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29, Romans 4: 13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1: 16, 18-21, 24a

Today’s readings have a message that weaves itself through each story. The message is about your faithfulness to God and his many blessings. As in Romans “For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants” and in Matthew when Joseph took Mary as his wife based on his faith in the message God sent through an angel.

Many times we are reminded to have faith that things will work out. “Give it to God, he’ll take care of it.” This can be very difficult to accept at times. It is then that I am reminded of the story my parents have shared many times.

In the early 1970’s, my mom was notified that they had won $50.00 in a church raffle. She was overjoyed at the news. With five young children and a sixth on the way, she thought of all the things the money could cover; the doctor bill, special shoes my brother needed etc. She called my dad at work to share the good news. My dad told her not to be so excited, that he had told God if he won the raffle he would donate the money to charity. My mom was disappointed. Her family could use the money, but they donated it with faith that God would provide what they needed. As it turned out, business at the store my parents owned picked up and as the years went by and fifteen children were given to them, the money and resources was always there when they needed it.

Psalm 89: “I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.”

In what moments of your life have you been called to faithfulness? When have you had to rely on your faith in God to see you through?

Kathleen Ehret, wife, mother of 2