Monday 7th September – Monday of week 23 of the year

Reflection: Colossians 1:24 – 2:3

OUR SOURCE OF STRENGTH

In avalanche-prone areas, mountaineers and skiers are trapped deep in many meters of ice as the unpredictable flood of death sweeps out every life in its path. For the few survivors; when they finally wake from the shock of the flood of ice and find themselves trapped, the only remedy to their disorientation is light from the sky being more on one side. They begin to dig up to the surface; fighting the cold, the limited air and fear with their damaged trembling fingers. Some dig for days. Their exhaustion suddenly disappears when they notice: ‘the light just got a whole lot brighter; I must be close to the surface’. This dim light becomes the burst of energy that sees them to the surface.

St Paul looked forward to the hope of glory in Christ and that provided all the energy he needed to fight on the good fight of faith. He had found a treasure in the good news of salvation and was driven by God’s grace to deliver the message of Christ to everyone.

What is your driving force? What is it that gives you strength and keeps you struggling on the path of faith? Our motives go a long way in determining our actions and the extent of sacrifice we are willing to make. If we are driven by flimsy reasons, the tendency to throw in the towel is high but if we are driven by our hope of eternal life, then we are strengthened to go through even the most adverse situations triumphantly. Dear friend, when life becomes cold and uninteresting and we feel all our good works are going to waste; come to Jesus and find warmth for your heart. Let your hope in His love be your strength.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, be glorified in my weaknesses and strengthen me daily for every good work. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 308 – What is hope?

Hope is trusting in what God has promised us in creation, in the prophets, but especially in Jesus Christ, even though we do not yet see it. God’s Holy Spirit is given to us so that we can patiently hope for the Truth.

HIDE A TREASURE: “The hope of the upright ends in happiness but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing” Proverbs 10:28 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Colossians 1: 24-2: 3; Psalm 62: 6-7. 9; Luke 6: 6-11