Could it be that God persists, too, until we are open to God's plan?
by Sister Elise Cholewinski
It has been five years since I lost my brother Dan. He had been in failing health for eight months and had undergone major heart surgery. In the midst of waiting for a heart transplant he had a stroke. During all that time I prayed several times a day that he would be restored to health. Then I began to wonder what could possibly happen if he did receive a heart transplant. What complications would he have to face? Finally one morning I told God that I just didn’t know what was best for my brother. I then placed Dan in God’s hands. I concluded my prayer by saying, “I want what you want.” As I left for work that day, I felt the tension leaving my body and I knew a profound peace. The following night my brother died.
In today’s Gospel Jesus points out how important it is to be persistent in our prayer. I believe that through our persistence the Holy Spirit eventually draws us to an openness and trust in our stance before our heavenly Father. Even as we persist in asking, I think God is persistent, waiting and waiting and waiting, until that moment arrives when we can surrender our desires into His loving embrace.
Reflection questions:
- For which persons or intentions have you been persistently praying?
- Has there been a moment in your prayer when you surrendered a person or intention into God’s hands? What was that moment like? How did you feel afterward?
My son's wife has been fighting cancer for the last 13 years. He called me last week and said doctors have run out of options for treatment. Doctors have quit all treatments and they have placed her in Gods hands. She's only 46 years old with 3 children age 13,15,17. Your reflection today reminded me of all of them. Remember this beautiful family in your prayers. Love to all.