Accomplishing the Purpose

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to the transformative power of God's Word. As Friar Jude Winkler comments, the Word, as understood by the ancient Hebrew people, had the effect of its content. The Passover prayers make the event present to the participants. God's Word, Present in the Eucharist makes the event of Jesus Passover, death and Resurrection present to the us. The psalmist gives praise to God for the Presence experienced when he cries out and is rescued from his afflictions. The Prophet Isaiah declares that God's Word accomplishes its purpose. The Gospel of Matthew presents the prayer of the Christian community in the form which originated in the instructions of Jesus (Luke 11:1-4). This prayer opens our being to receive much direction about the means whereby God accomplishes His Purpose. God is intimate. God is Father. The requests with which this prayer informs us are from a loving parent to a child in which there is much delight. In this relationship, we desire to do the will of the parent in the expectation that this goodness will spread to all with whom we have contact. In our interactions with others we are to be satisfied with just what we need, that which is Providence, to equip us and not temp us toward self satisfaction. The mercy and forgiveness we experience as we move towards accomplishing the Purpose of God needs to be shared to have full effect in our lives and the lives of others. Amen