Rest in God alone

Name the greatest, biggest and sweetest blessing you received this 2021.

Our commitment to God is beyond bounds, that is, all-out, without limit, not holding anything back. That is simply the nature of our commitment to God. We belong to Him as His creatures. We belong to Jesus as he paid the price for our freedom from sin and death. “My soul, be at rest in God alone” (Ps 62:6a). God alone. No one else. Nothing else.

“God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress” (Ps 62:7a). We must be built on the Rock that is Christ. There is no other foundation. Only in Jesus ”comes my hope” (Ps 62:6b). Only with Jesus “I shall not fall.” (Ps 62:7b). Jesus is “my deliverance and honor …., my strong rock; my refuge” (Ps 62:8).

As the Lord is all this, we must “trust God at all times” (Ps 62:9a). At all times. In good and bad. In health and sickness. In victory and defeat. In joy and sorrow. Even in sorrow? Yes. As we see in the example of Paul, who endured much in the service of God. “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church” (Col 1:24). Our suffering for Jesus allows us to follow in his footsteps and allows us to serve the Church, the very body of Christ on earth. What a privilege!

And so we proclaim the gospel of salvation in Jesus. “It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” (Col 1:28). The gospel is for everyone, for all, to the ends of the earth, without boundaries. This is about “all the richness of fully assured understanding, …. and for the revelation of “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col 2:2b,3).

In Jesus, we look to be blessed beyond bounds, if only we fully remain in him and him in us. That happens as we pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, and rejoice always.

For discussion, answer the following questions:

1. What are the things that you’d like to entrust to Jesus for 2022?

2. How will you play your role in allowing God to work wonders in the things you mentioned?

As a way of thanksgiving for this year’s unparalleled blessings from God, avail the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the year ends. It is the surest way for us to remain in Jesus.