"God is not a deceiver that he should offer to support us, and then, when we lean upon Him, should slip away from us."
St. Augustine
For Reflection:
Sometimes God is not readily apparent in our need, so we fear that He is not with us and we place no hope in Him. However, the fact may be that we are not looking for Him hidden in the wrappings of our suffering. Dare we look, we will find Him attentive to our need, patiently providing every grace we need. He desires only that we search and find that He is there and His grace is sufficient. Am I willing to do this today?
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"No test has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
1 Corinthians 10:13
For Reflection:
What virtues have I acquired in times of suffering? How have they provided a "way out" so that I was able to endure?
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"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare not for woe, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
For Reflection:
How have I seen this come true in my own life, especially after a time of sorrow and suffering? What does this tell us about God?
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"Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply, but speak gently and respectfully."
1 Peter 3:15
For Reflection:
One way we can instill hope in others is to have our story of God's mercy in our own life ready to share with them. What is one way God worked in your life that gave you hope in the midst of travail? Work at putting this into a two minute testimony so you will be "ever ready to reply." Hint: Divide your story into three parts and pick the highlights from each. The three parts of your story should be "I was, Jesus did, I am"
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for a passage you can use in your testimony.)
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"I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord."
Romans 8: 38- 39
For Reflection:
According to St. Paul, what will be able to separate us from the love of God? Consider this: God loves us always, in spite of everything, no matter what. His mercy is greater than any sin, any transgression, any failure or weakness. His love is greater than any affliction, trial, or suffering. We have every reason to hope and trust in Him!
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Have you made good use of your time of Lenten preparation?
NOW is the perfect time to reflect and prepare for the great paschal mystery which will soon be upon us. In the link below, I share some food for thought for these final hours of Lent. Please take a few moments to listen. Join me in making these last days, the very best days of our Lenten journey!
Drawn to the Cross - Women of Grace Live Audio
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"If God is for, who can be against us? Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? Yet in all this we are more than conquerors because of him who has loved us."
Romans 8:32,35, 37
For Reflection:
This passage lists various vicissitudes of life. What are they? What would be some corollaries to these in your own life? How could these sufferings seek to convince you that God has abandoned you? But what does the passage tell you about God's love? How does this give you hope?
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"I'm not very conscious of His presence, but I hope He's dogging my footsteps."
Graham Greene
For Reflection:
Our culture tells us that certainty resides in our feelings. However, our emotions are subject to the fluctuations of many things. Where should our certainty reside? How does Graham Greene's quote express this?
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"When tempted to despair, I have only one resource: to throw myself at the foot of the tabernacle like a little dog at the foot of his master."
St. John Vianney
For Reflection:
How does St. John Vianney recommend we find the grace we need to make it through a trial with right intention, fervency, courage, and trust in God? How much time a week do you spend before the Blessed Sacrament?
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"Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if He wants anything of you, He will fit you for the work and give you strength."
St. Philip Neri
For Reflection:
Sometimes we lack courage, because our confidence in God is weak. What does St. Philip Neri tell us? To what extent do you believe it? Are you willing to give it a try in what God is asking of you right now?Â
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