Daily Retreat 05/26/09
2009 May 26 Tue:Philip Neri, p M
Acts 20:17-27/ Ps 67(68):10-11. 20-21/ Jn 17:1-11a
From today’s readings: “I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.... the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.... Jesus raised His eyes to Heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come. Give glory to Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify You, just as You gave Him authority over all people, so that Your Son may give eternal life to all You gave Him.’ ”
The Entire Plan of God
Ephesus was “home” as much as anywhere for Paul - over the course of his mission journeys, he spent a number of years there. It was the biggest city of Asia minor (ca. 250,000), so it was a natural sub-center of operations for Paul’s missionary work.
Today and tomorrow, the first reading goes through Paul’s touching farewell discourse to the presbyters (priests) of Ephesus. In it, Paul emphasizes his trust in the entire plan of God for Paul personally (including imprisonment and hardships), but also Paul’s commitment to help the Ephesians embrace the entire plan of God in their lives as well.
Often, the greatest obstacle to spiritual growth is our reluctance to embrace the entire plan of God. We welcome parts of His plan - the parts that suit us best! But when it comes to our personal crosses and dogmatic Church teachings that challenge us, then you and I often shrink from embracing the entire plan of God, and try instead to pick and choose only what we like.
Acts 20:17-27/ Ps 67(68):10-11. 20-21/ Jn 17:1-11a
From today’s readings: “I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.... the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.... Jesus raised His eyes to Heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come. Give glory to Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify You, just as You gave Him authority over all people, so that Your Son may give eternal life to all You gave Him.’ ”
The Entire Plan of God
Ephesus was “home” as much as anywhere for Paul - over the course of his mission journeys, he spent a number of years there. It was the biggest city of Asia minor (ca. 250,000), so it was a natural sub-center of operations for Paul’s missionary work.
Today and tomorrow, the first reading goes through Paul’s touching farewell discourse to the presbyters (priests) of Ephesus. In it, Paul emphasizes his trust in the entire plan of God for Paul personally (including imprisonment and hardships), but also Paul’s commitment to help the Ephesians embrace the entire plan of God in their lives as well.
Often, the greatest obstacle to spiritual growth is our reluctance to embrace the entire plan of God. We welcome parts of His plan - the parts that suit us best! But when it comes to our personal crosses and dogmatic Church teachings that challenge us, then you and I often shrink from embracing the entire plan of God, and try instead to pick and choose only what we like.
posted by FrPitstick | 5/16/2009
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