We know that all things work for good for those who love God,who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8)It's probably easy for us to hear these words at Mass and kent them pass over us as blandly spiritual, as something we half-concisously nod our heads at without really thinking about them or internalizing them. If we ponder them at all, and most of us probably don't, we might be tempted to think, "easy for him to say, try living my life! I've got real problems!" We might want to brush St. Paul off as an overly pious devotee trying to put the best spin on things. Surely, we mig think,my here words can't apply to someone like me, someone with real problems. In case any of you might be thinking that, I thought a quick reminder of St. Paul's life might be in order:
- Born into a wealthy family, would live most of his life in poverty preaching the Gospel
- Given a world class education to become a "Pharisee of Pharisees," only to become a Christian, a sect despised by the Pharisees
- Hunted and killed Christians, only to learn he was persecuting God Himself
- Temporarily blinded
- Stoned
- Scourged multiple times
- Went without food or drink for extended periods
- Founded many Christian communities, only to witness their constant bickering and infighting
- Imprisoned
- Shipwrecked
- Spent two years in chains
- Beheaded admits a persecution that saw many of his friends also killed
As you read over that list of tragic misfortunes, remember this is the man who so confidently proclaimed "all things work for good for those who love God." We all face various struggles in life, some of us more than others and few of us as many as St Paul did. Do you really believe all things, including those let downs and tragedies in your life, work for your ultimate good, as St. Paul teaches us?
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| St. Paul, pray for us who struggle! |
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