St. Paul and Christian Hope


Torch of The Faith News on Tuesday 21 October 2008 - 11:10:34 | by admin

sao_paulo_2.jpgAlan's mum and dad recently gave us a copy of the new St. Paul Prayer Book by Family Publications.

This contains a selection of his inspired writings from Sacred Scripture, simple prayers invoking his assistance, and beautiful images largely taken from stained glass portraits of this great saint and pillar of the Church. 

The opening page has a quotation from Pope Benedict XVI's talk given on 17th April 2008;

'Saint Paul speaks... of a kind of prayer which arises from the depths of our hearts in sighs too deep for words, in 'groanings' (Rom 8:26) inspired by the Spirit. This is a prayer which yearns in the midst of chastisement for the fulfillment of God's promises. It is a prayer of unfailing hope, but also one of patient endurance and, often accompanied by suffering for the truth. Through this prayer, we share in the mystery of Christ's own weakness and suffering, whilst trusting firmly in the victory of His Cross.' 

These words of our Holy Father seem to sum up so well the experience of so many of those in our land who try in sincerity to follow Our Lord's command to 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations' (Matt 28:19) whilst encountering all manner of obstacles and opposition.  

sau_paulo.jpgSt. Paul himself provides the impetus to further hope and encouragement;

'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, 'For Thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all Creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.' 
(Romans 8:35-39)
 

So be of good heart this day - if you are being persecuted, ostracized, or opposed for Jesus Christ and His Truth - then you are actually doing things right and in all these things are more than conquerors!  

St. Paul - Pray for us!

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