Word to the Wise
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 - Wednesday in the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rom 8:26-30 and Luke 13:22-30]The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will....We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. [Romans]
There are times when life can seem overwhelming no matter what our age may be. We find ourselves just wanting to crawl under the covers and let life go on without us! St. Paul says that this is when the Spirit kicks in and prays for us. We can dump the whole mess in God's lap and see what happens! I know I have faced moments like that in pastoral life - parish finances, feuds, terrible sorrows of parishioners/students.....you name it. However, our cooperation is also needed. We can't stay under the covers forever!
Once, in a campus ministry I staffed more than 40 years ago, a student who knew I was facing a difficult decision reminded me of another line quoted above about all things working for good for those who love God. This may be hard to see. The old Louisiana saying comes to mind: "When you're up to your waist in alligators, it's hard to remember that the initial objective was to drain the swamp." Yet, God will find a way with our cooperation. That, too, has been my personal and pastoral experience. The way through the mess may be familiar or it may be something very new. As I have said many times to students, "If you have faith, put it to work for you!" Trust the Spirit to be a partner. AMEN