Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 436

You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds;
God has now reconciled you
in the fleshly Body of Christ through his death,
to present you holy, without blemish,
and irreproachable before him,
provided that you persevere in the faith.....

Saint Paul adds an unexpected, but necessary proviso to his brief story of every Christian's life. We were once alienated and hostile, but we have been reconciled. That's the truth! But what about that proviso, "provided that you persevere in faith?"

We cannot abandon the faith we have accepted, the road we have taken, which now directs our lives. We cannot look back, much less turn back. If it was ever a good idea, it's clearly a bad one now. 

I find a paradox here. Those who practice their faith, listen to the Holy Spirit, and follow God's law are generally very happy people. But following in the Lord's path requires constant attention, courage, and generosity. And we'd often prefer a way that doesn't make so many demands upon me. Too often, I take a break, give it a rest, go easy on myself. And as soon as I do that, I start finding fault with others and feeling disappointing fact that I have to live with them. They're almost perfect but not quite, as Mary Hume complained. 

So the choice is easy, but it's not. 

Becoming aware of that personal problem -- which may be common to everyone but I don't know everyone -- I must turn to the Lord and ask him to sanctify, save, inebriate, and wash me, as prayer, the Anima Christi, teaches us: 

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O Good Jesus, hear me.

Within your wounds hide me.

Permit me not to be separated from you.

From the wicked foe, defend me.

At the hour of my death, call me

and bid me come to you

That with your saints I may praise you

For ever and ever. Amen.