The Holy Priest-Martyr Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata (379-80)
Romans 9:18-33; Matthew 11:2-15
Apostles’ Fast.
Read Romans 9:18-33
When the Lord made a covenant with Israel, it was clear that He and Israel would be in a relationship whereby each gave 100%. I will be your God and you will be my people. As we know, Israel strayed from that relationship—many times. Even at the giving of the ten words (commandments), Israel grew impatient and started to worship a god that they made. Whenever Israel strayed, the Lord always tried to get them back. At times, we find that He would even use Israel’s warring enemies to get their attention, to call them back. The Lord even used His prophet Hosea to exemplify for Israel His love for them. He asked Hosea to marry a cult prostitute and to remain faithful to her (and eventually to fully reconcile with her) in order to reveal to Israel His constant love for them and the hope of reconciliation.
We may find it difficult to understand why the Lord works in this manner. The prophet Isaiah wrote: ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Is. 55:8-9). St. Paul is also trying to explain the relationship of God’s sovereignty to our free will. He focusses on the Lord’s activity especially as Creator, as the potter who molds the clay.
It is simply awesome that the Lord has a plan for us, a design for us, as a potter has for clay. The humble path is to discover who we are in Him and to give way to His hands to shape us as a vessel to be used in His great plan of salvation. Isaiah again writes: “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand” (Is. 64:8). He is persistent in His love and mercy. And He wants us to be His hands, His feet, and His voice, and His love and mercy in the world today.
Perhaps this prayer can be added to your daily prayer rule.
A Prayer for the Beginning of the Day
O Lord, grant that I may meet this day and all it shall bring with spiritual peace. Grant that I may submit myself completely to Your holy will. In every hour of the day, be my support and guide. Whatever news I may receive today, teach me to accept it with a peaceful soul and with the firm conviction that Your will governs all things. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You. Teach me to act firmly and wisely without embittering and embarrassing others. O Lord, give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all it shall bring. Direct my will. Teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to endure all thing, to forgive and to love. Amen.