Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 13:13-25

“God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.” (Acts 13:23)

Isn’t it amazing that we tend to focus on what’s right in front us, but lose sight of God’s plan for our lives? This is so true when it comes to our own acts of faith. We are so worried about getting to Mass and saying our prayers that we miss their significance or power. Or we can be so intent on getting God to answer a particular prayer that we fail to see how much he has already done for us. And how much more he promises to do for us if we stay close to him.

In today’s passage from Acts, Paul is showing the people in Pisidia the “big picture.” He outlines very carefully how God’s plan has unfolded over thousands of years, culminating in the sending of Jesus as Savior. And by doing this, Paul shows how God has fulfilled his promises – that if we believe in his Son, we will have eternal life – that he will be with us always in this life and for all eternity.

The “big picture” for us here and now is that in the midst of our concerns and obligations, God does keep his promises! He has a plan for us. Whatever the specific circumstances of our lives may be, God’s vision for us never changes. We must keep God’s love and his purposes for us at the forefront always – from the moment we wake up each morning and until we close our eyes each night.