The Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra; Holy Martyrs Peter, Dionysius and those with them; The Seven Holy Virgins.
Acts 21:8-14; John 14:27-15:7.
Read Acts 21:8-14
Consider how the friends and companions of St. Paul must have felt upon hearing the prophecy of Agabus. Their immediate reaction is to weep and plead with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. In contrast, St. Paul sees God’s will in all these things and the challenge that he issues is for the Church to see and accept them as well.
The early Christian writer Origen tells us that, “Paul both contemplated Christ, in the face of manifest dangers, proceeding and eagerly going up to Jerusalem with the foreknowledge that he would be handed over to the chief priests and scribes and sentenced to death, and he exhorted us to imitate him as he imitated Christ, as he says, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ” (Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew). Note that Paul’s disposition towards these future sufferings comes from his being conformed to Christ. Indeed, St. Paul’s actions echo the words of Christ as He approached His Passion – “not my will but thine be done”.
If we’re honest, we know that making these words our own in the face of suffering or difficulties can be difficult. We might know intellectually that God works for good in all things (Rom 8:28), but we don’t always see that good, or readily accept that it is good.
The ancient desert Fathers teach us that this is because we all, to varying degrees, still see things with the eyes of the old man (cf. Eph. 4:22) – subject to self-interest and the whims of our disordered passions. It is only when the “old man” is broken down, that the new man can fully emerge. While we might bring suffering upon ourselves or experience it as a result of a broken world, God permits these experiences and uses them to transform us. “Do not be always wanting everything to turn out as you think it should” says Abba Nilus the Elder, “but rather as God pleases, then you will be undisturbed and thankful in your prayer”.
This week, let us pray for this grace, as Blessed Clement Sheptytsky prayed daily: O Lord, grant, that I may meet this day and all that 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 my 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 that it shall bring. Direct my will. Teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to endure all things, to forgive and to love. Amen.