22-Apr-15

Gospel JN 6:35-40
Jesus said to the crowds,
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
But I told you that although you have seen me,
you do not believe.
Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.”
Reflection:
"I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me."
In this one statement, Jesus has given us the key to a purpose-filled life and peace of heart and mind.
Although turning my will over to God may sound like a simple concept, it is a life-long effort for me.
My human nature and my natural tendency to control often get in the way, and I find myself torn between God's will and doing it "my way."
In Isaiah 64:8, we are told, "Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand."
Throughout my life, God continues to mold me.
My life experience has taught me that when I am able to turn my life and my will over to God, I come to know the peace that Christ promised.
The Alcoholic Anonymous Third Step prayer is recited daily by thousands of people, alcoholic or not.
" God, I offer myself to Thee — to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!."
"Seek God's will in all that you do and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:6