Saturday of Week Eleven in Ordinal Time

Do not worry about tomorrow. There is enough evil to battle today. Seek first the Kingdom of God and right relationship with the Father. You cannot serve two masters! Mt 6:24-34

"I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, was caught up to the third level of Heaven." 2 Cor 12:1-11

"That I might not become too proud, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan to beat me, to keep me from being too proud." 2 Cor 12:1-11

As Jesus continues to lead us thru the Sermon on the Mount call to mind that it started with the Beatitudes. Jesus wants us to be happy enough to be saints. God the Father created us for himself and He is a jealous lover. Jealous, He may be, but He will never force us to love Him in return. However, He is very active in helping us to choose to love Him. He wisely uses both consolation and desolation to encourage our relationship with Him.

In today's First Reading, St Paul testifies to both. On the one hand, God gives St Paul an experience of the Glory of Heaven. St Paul never forgets this consolation and he uses it to help him pass thru the sufferings of this life. On the other hand, God gives St Paul an angel of Satan to beat him in the flesh. This desolation keeps St Paul humble to work within the limitations of his own personhood. Both the consolation and desolation have one goal; to keep St Paul rightly related to God the Father. Meanwhile, as St Paul was working out his salvation in fear and trembling, God used a variety of people and circumstances to provide for all of St Paul's worldly needs.

Heavenly Father, may St Paul be our inspiration to remain faithful in serving you and may we trust you to use creation to care for all of our worldly needs. Amen.