Daily Thought For October 4, 2014
God & The Work For God
Then you entrusted me with a unique mission
that has the same requirements as every mission: that I be your apostle and witness.
Still, my experience has taught me that I confuse these two realities:
God and God's work.
God gave me the responsibility to carry out certain works-
some sublime and others more modest; some noble and others more common.
And so, with a commitment to pastoral work in parishes and with young people in schools, with artists and laborers,
in the world of the press, radio, and television, I gave my entire energy to everything and poured out all my abilities.
I did not spare anything, not even my life.
But, while I was so passionately immersed in action,
I met the defeat of ingratitude, the refusal to collaborate,
the incomprehension of friends, the lack of support from leaders, illness and infirmity, insufficient resources ...
And, then when I happened to enjoy success, when I was the object of everyone's approval, praise, and affection,
I was suddenly transferred to another position. So there I was, dazed, groping about as if in the dark of night:
Why, Lord, are you abandoning me?
I do not want to desert your work I want to complete it.
I must finish building the Church ... Why do others attack your work? Why do they withdraw their support?
Kneeling before your altar, close to the Eucharist,
I heard your answer, Lord:
"It is me you are supposed to be following, not my work!
If I will it, you will finish the work entrusted to you.
It matters little who takes over your work after you;
that is my business.
Your business is to choose me!"
from Prayers of Hope—Words of Courage by Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận pp. 116-117