Daily prayer
to St. Jude

O kindSaint-Jude, our faithful intercessor to Jesus, receive the following special intentions : to present them to the Almighty Lord, Root of all good. Above all, grant us an increase of our faith in His love. May each day find us closer in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. KindSaint-Jude, you who has revived hope in our hearts, you whose model merits and life bring us the divine blessings and graces, be our advocate, and lead us to Jesus and Mary. With you, blessed apostle, we give thanks and praise God with all our heart for His innumerable kindnesses. Amen.

The Monthly Note

February 2011

Thy or my will be done?

by Jacques Lauzier, O.P.

«Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother» Mark 3,35

In the Our Father, the Lord tells us to pray that the Father’s will be done on Earth as in Heaven. Himself He tells us that «My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to complete his work» (John 4, 34).  In His Gospel, Jesus asks us that, we too, do God’s will.  This expression frightens many.  What will happen if we decide to do God’s will?   Will God ask us to live in a manner that is not in keeping with what we are?  A manner that will transcends us completely, that will make us live beyond our limits?  We will have to obey a project that may not be in keeping with our deepest desire.

All this questioning about the will of God can be nerve-racking and bring about a real torment. But the torment does not come from God.

So how can we do His will without feeling anguish?  Well, it is by letting ourselves being lead by the Spirit.  Just like every human being was created differently, the will of God is different, personal and unique for each one of us.  The will of God for my neighbor differs from the will of God for me.  And to find out, we have to ask the Spirit.  Only He can help us purify our desires so that they are in keeping with the will the Lord has for me, personally.  We have to give the Spirit liberty of action in us, so that we may learn to be yielding, docile to his suggestions.  And for that, we have to listen to him; give him a chance to express himself and to be heard.  This assumes knowing how to be silent in order to listen, to learn by the wisdom of God.

Thus, with the help of the Eucharist and the Word of God, we will be sure not to be mistaken and to do his will…joyfully!