We live in an age where we ‘think’ we are in control of “Time”. We say confidently, “we will meet on this day, at such a time to do this or that.” But do any of us know if we will actually see it come to pass? When we focus on today’s Gospel proclamation, the sequence of events in Jesus’ life – his birth, baptism, ministry, his time for the first miracle in Cana, were all centered on an “appointed time” which was known only to Jesus and a time preset by our Father. People could not even lay a hand on Jesus because Abba Father would not permit it at that time. Such is the authority of God over the spirit of man, even of the spirits of people who were plotting evil! We are as precious to our Abba Father as Jesus is – for it is for this very reason that he sent his Son to die such a gruesome death on a cross, for us. We can claim this same verse over our lives too. As long as we remain in Jesus, and his Word that is Spirit and Life remains in us – we too can claim; “no one laid hands on me as the hour had not yet come!”

Prayer: Abba Father, as we remain in you and your Word remains in us – help us to receive each day with a joyful heart. Amen.