“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” Psalm 40:8
We should begin each morning recognizing the presence of the Lord in our lives. A simple prayer that we can do is this: “Thank you Lord for the gift of this day and I ask – what can I do for you today; your servant is listening.” In this way, we express gratitude for the gift of life and a new day, and we’re also opening ourselves to mission, preparing ourselves to be God’s instrument in the world and to do his will – much like we hear in today’s Psalm. It’s our disposition, receptivity, and commitment to the daily work of God in our lives – whether it be receiving or giving, we’re approaching the day with humility, ready to serve and accept what the Lord places before us. Everyday, we should be with a joyful disposition before the Lord no matter how small or great the task before us will be, and we can do this in faith, confidently knowing that Christ always walks with us and will always leads us to goodness – to do the will of the Father.
As we begin this new year, we can make this prayer, this Psalm our own and continue to ask daily: “how can I serve you today?” Believe me, the opportunity will present itself. And this week, the Church remembers a saint who inspired the laity to do just this through his writings – Saint Francis de Sales. It is said that his swritings helped the faithful understand that they too are called to be saints, especially in his most famous compilations The Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God. As he wrote in The Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman…. It has happened that many have lost perfection in the desert who had preserved it in the world.” No matter our status in life, we have all been called to do the Father’s will, something which we accomplish his will as long as we remain with Jesus Christ. Saint Francis de Sales … pray for us.
On Thursday, January 22nd, the Church also remembers and prays for the Legal Protection of Life and Unborn Children. Let us keep our prayers, especially this week on these intentions, and one way that we as community are acting is by helping mothers in need through our annual Baby Drive sponsored by our Knights of Columbus. Please consider donating to this year’s drive, another way that we’re committing ourselves to doing the Father’s will.
In Christ
Fr Robert