Never Had the Chants

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Scripture of the Week

 

From class this week:

Verse: The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns (Ecclesiastes 1:6, English Standard Version).

Translation: No matter how exciting life is, it is of little value without God.

Application: Under the sun, there is nothing new. We can get what we need from the Maker of the sun.

I like this passage, especially the application of it above, though I might change the wording a bit. 

Under the sun, there is nothing new. We get what we need from the Son, who is the Maker of the sun and of all else which exists.

From the same context, going to verse 17: 

"Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind." 

Solomon here, though considered quite wise among men, realizes that all wisdom of men is folly before the Lord. Therefore, we need to be reminded of our place - and remain humble in our pursuits. Never think ourselves wise before the Lord, always willing to yield to His Will in our lives.

Scripture of the Week - Who Is Drawn?

From class:

Verse: In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps (Proverbs 16:9, New International Version).

Translation: He leads the way and shines light on the path of life.

Application: We can bend hearts and minds with our own will and intentions, but we are made in His image. He paves the way, as our design is divine.

The readings this week, the 19th Week in Ordinal Time (I refuse to use "Ordinary Time" but that's a topic for another discussion) were:

1 Kgs 19:4-8

Eph 4:30—5:2

and the Gospel was:

Jn 6:41-51

Part of the Gospel reading goes: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day." I tied that to the Scripture of the Week (my professor provides passages each week) as we, men (and women) make choices in life, one may choose to follow Christ while another chooses not to, but only those who are drawn can come to the Father. That used to trouble me a bit until I ran into John 12:32 - "When I am lifted up. I will draw all men unto Me." This brings us back to John 3:16 "For God so loved the world (not just a part of it) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." In short, and tying it back to this week's Scripture, while man(kind) chooses - God has laid out the path, the groundwork, and all we need to do is heed His Word - and it is left to the free choice of men to follow or reject Christ.