Daily Thought For July 4, 2018

God & The Work For God

Because of your infinite love for me, Lord, you called me to follow you, to be your child and your disciple.

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

Daily Thought