Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Dr. Marie Philomène Péan

ARE YOU FULLY ENGAGED WITH GOD’S WORK?

Has it ever happened to you that one day at work one of your
supervisors told you: “Joseph or Ann, I like the way you commit
yourself to this work!” Remember how you felt…. It seems that
God knows how to attract people to give their best in his work of
salvation. That is the feeling I get when I look at Abraham in
today’s first reading, Jesus in the Gospel and Ignatius of Spain
(1491-1556).

WAS ABRAHAM FULLY ENGAGED WITH GOD’S WORK?

In the first reading (Gn. 17: 3-9), I can picture Abraham standing
in front of God receiving his declaration of love. Surely, Abraham
felt overwhelmed by God’s praise. Praises that spoke of his
obedience, selflessness, advocacy, trustworthiness, faithfulness.
It was a beginning of a partnership that would last for all ages.

WAS JESUS FULLY ENGAGED WITH GOD’S WORK?

Jesus in the gospel (Jn. 8:51-59) had to make a long speech to
detail his intimate relationship with his Father. But many of the
people did not accept his message. For the Jewish faith, Abraham
is the main figure to whom they relate. Would Jesus have the
same difficulty today, in expressing his belonging to his father?
God in the transfiguration story found in Jesus his beloved. He is
the real prophet. Jesus relates to anybody: rich, poor, children,
old people, intellectual or workers. Jesus has a mission plan (Lk.
4, 18-19). He chose disciples to continue his work. He promoted
his kingdom.

WAS IGNATIUS FULLY ENGAGED WITH GOD’S WORK?

One day Ignatius was praying to Mary. Like the mother of
Zebedee, he asked her to help him be a part of her son’s mission.
Soon after he had a vision. God surprised him when he was
praying at the ’La Storta’ chapel. He showed himself to Ignatius
with his son carrying a cross. In that vision, God told Jesus: “take
Ignatius with you.” Then Ignatius knew, that his mission from
God, was to carry the cross with Jesus. He was a military guy. He
had a profound conversion. Moreover, Ignatius was humble,
disciplined, obedient and faithful.

ARE YOU FULLY ENGAGED WITH GOD’S WORK?

What about me? Do I know my gifts and put them to use in God’s
mission? Bill Barry, in his book ‘Friendship like no other’
encourages us to build an adult relationship with God. Do I
believe that God takes his delight in me? God will bless us
through those who by our actions believe in our message of love.
The only thing he wants from us is: Our Daily Yes. God is faithful,
he keeps his promises (Ps. 105: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9); do we? Although
we may fall, he will never let us down and will always pick us up.
Hymn for reflection: https://youtu.be/gATP1OQugz0
Lyrics: Take my heart, O Lord, take my hopes and dreams.
Take my mind with all its plans and schemes.
Give me nothing more than your love and grace.
These alone, O God, are enough for me. Etc….
(St. Louis Jesuits)