God's Will
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Reading (Matthew 26: 36-46)
Jesus came with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Stay here while I pray."
he took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. He began to feel sorrow and distress. He said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me."
And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; but let it be not as I will, but as you will."
He returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Could you not watch with me for an hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
He withdrew a second time. Again he prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, then your will be done."
He returned to the disciples, and again he found them asleep. He said to them, "Behold, the hour is at hand."
Song (Psalm 22)
It was our infirmities that he bore,
Our suffering that he endured.
He was pierced for our offenses,
Crushed for our sins.
Upon him was the chastisement
That makes us whole,
By his stripes were we healed.We had all gone astray like sheep,
Each following his own way;
But the Lord laid upon him
The guilt of us all.
Though he was harshly treated
He submitted and opened not his mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughter,
He was silent and opened not his mouth.
Reflection
The sole purpose of our existence is to do the will of God. God created us for himself. He placed us in this world to raise us in the ways of love, so that we might live with him in heaven forever. Everything that happens to us is intended to teach us to love.God reveals his will to us only one day at a time. He reveals it in the people he sends into our life today. He gives us each new day as an opportunity to grow in love. We can tell what God's will is by this: everything that moves us in the direction of love is from God.
Every movement in the direction of love involves dying to oneself. This is the deepest mystery of God's will: that we must let go of the life we cling to so that God can make us into something more. The only measure of the success or failure of our life is whether we do God's will. Nothing else matters.
Prayer (Offering of St. Ignatius Loyola)
Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding, and my will. All that I have and cherish you have given me. I surrender it all to be guided by your will. Your grace and your love are wealth enough for me. Give me these, Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more.
Read another reflection on God's will