July 2, 2024

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My short reflection this week is from the Second Reading from this past Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary time / St. Paul’s (Second Letter to the Corinthians 12:7-10) / St. Paul speaks of a thorn in his side / With that said:

 

-Paul was not afraId of his past or current weakness and sin / He was not afraid to let go and give it to God /  This thorn allowed him to orient his life to God / To depend on God / To see Jesus’ “Salvific Work” in his life.

-This allowed Paul a joy and freedom, even in prison and chains.

 

-Acknowledging our weakness allows us to be open to grace and change that leads to empowerment, freedom, and liberation from destructive tendencies / That thorn in our side / Weakness allows us to orient our life to Christ.

 

-Of this thorn in His side that Paul speaks of / We do not know specifically what this weakness and sin was / But God allowed it to remain for a time, so Saint Paul would become humbled / Give his weakness to God / And would always know his need for God.

 

-For the scrupulous out there frustrated with repetitive sin / This one is for us / To keep us humble and always at work with vigilance to become Holy / Don’t wait to be perfect to approach God / Seek to become Holy now / Let Jesus astonish you now / This is our mission / The call of the prophets.

 

-The Dandelion analogy and Repetitive Sin / The roots of a dandelion are more than twice the length of the plant above the soil / Some of our repetitive sins are deeply rooted / It will take many Confessions and Spiritual Action and Prayer to finally remove all of the root / Until the sin no longer remains  / And the more we chip away at the deep roots (of that sin) the more it opens us up to cooperate with the Saving Grace that God is continually pouring upon those who ask.

 

-I love the maxim / Sometimes God allows things to remain / Until we have learned all we need to learn from them.

 

-One thing that has helped me with a sin that I was having difficulty with / The moment I would fall / I would ask God / What do I need to learn this time?: About myself / About the tactics of the evil one?

 

-I love that my battle with weakness / With repetitive sins / Has allowed me to greater know myself / The enemy’s tactics / And the Love that God has for me.

 

-i will repeat what I said above: For the scrupulous out there frustrated with repetitive sin / This one is for us / To keep us humble and always at work with vigilance to become Holy / Don’t wait to be perfect to approach God / Seek to become Holy now / Let Jesus astonish you now / This is our mission / The call of the prophets.

 

Vivat Jesus,

Father Vic Gournas