Throughout his letters to the various communities of faith, St. Paul offers some excellent advice. In next weekend’s second reading from his letter to the Philippians (Phil 4:6-9) he urges them to “…have no anxiety at all…the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6-7). Of course, that’s great in theory, but the reality of living through the last seven months of 2020 with all its struggles may have us remembering the old adage, “easier said than done.”
But St. Paul is trying to remind us that if we trust in the Lord, if we turn to the Lord regularly, if we view the Lord as our constant companion and supporter, many of the trials we face and many of the burdens we bear will be easier. Not gone…not resolved…but easier. People who have a consistent and faith-filled prayer life understand both what St. Paul is saying and the truth of what he says.
Two important facets of the Catholic Christ life are prayer and trust. Too often we may become overly self-reliant, trying to carry our crosses alone without the help of the Lord. When we develop a prayer life and an awareness that Jesus is there to help, every day in every way, the world can be a much more positive place. As St. Paul tells us in the final verse of next weekend’s second reading if we do all of this “then the God of peace will be with you.” So each day, we each need to do our best to hand over our worries to the Lord and trust Him because He’s got this. I promise.
But St. Paul is trying to remind us that if we trust in the Lord, if we turn to the Lord regularly, if we view the Lord as our constant companion and supporter, many of the trials we face and many of the burdens we bear will be easier. Not gone…not resolved…but easier. People who have a consistent and faith-filled prayer life understand both what St. Paul is saying and the truth of what he says.
Two important facets of the Catholic Christ life are prayer and trust. Too often we may become overly self-reliant, trying to carry our crosses alone without the help of the Lord. When we develop a prayer life and an awareness that Jesus is there to help, every day in every way, the world can be a much more positive place. As St. Paul tells us in the final verse of next weekend’s second reading if we do all of this “then the God of peace will be with you.” So each day, we each need to do our best to hand over our worries to the Lord and trust Him because He’s got this. I promise.
RSS Feed