Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

May 23, 2003

I know that my sermons over the last three visits here have been somewhat challenging. I would hope that we’re all mature enough to take on a challenge now and then; but today before leaving I want to thank you for your patience and persistence in some cases penitence.

Today I’d like to put some balms on the wounds of Gilead. In our modest attempts to follow Jesus there will always be times when we will hit a lull. That is why it is necessary to keep focused on the limited and unrestricted mercy of God.

We can become discouraged, when we feel stalled by apparent lack of progress even just to do the minimal goodness of being a good person. We can burn out all this spiritual energy from trying to hard; trying to be heroic, to do the extraor4inary.

We need from time to time to, and this the great value of a journal, to go back to page one and to remind ourselves that I did not initiate this journey. It was poured out on me in the waters of Baptism. As Jesus said: "It was not you who chose me; it was I who chose you." You willingly accepted and responded to my call.

Faith is not something we decide to want. It is not something that is logically processed. It is mystery. It is the very life of God. And whoever abides in God, God abides in you.

What a beautiful way to begin each day, no matter how ordinary or difficult, that in God’s mysterious plan we are part of it, a piece of work, His work that no one else can substitute.

Lord Jesus, Send your Spirit into our life each day to remind us that we are a call from you. Help us to pray so that our hearts may be formed to trust you and be drawn to you rather than focusing on our own efforts or failures. Come Holy Spirit Enkindle in us the fire of your divine love.