The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, Book III Chapter XXXIX: “A Man must not be too Anxious in his Affairs” (second entry)

These opening words from Christ in this chapter are certainly ones to live by. Trust the Lord always and give everything to Him, whatever the cause. The outcome will always be better than anything we produce.

|Today’s first reading: 1 Cor 2:1-5

Paul humbly admits that his approach to evangelizing the Corinthians relies on the power of the Cross rather than his own words or wisdom. “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified,” he says. If he were to come to them relying entirely on himself, he would get nowhere — he certainly would come in “fear and trembling.” Preachers, relying on their own egos, come and go, and are quickly forgotten. But it is the power of God and the sacrifice of Christ that imbues Paul’s presence with efficacy.

|Reflection

Paul entrusted his cause to the one who commissioned him, Jesus Christ. His attitude was exactly what ours should be: if we believe we can do anything of lasting value on our own, without grace, we are doomed. In particular, Paul was considering the evangelizing mission to which he was called in an unexpected (to say the least) way. Focus on Christ and His redemptive offering; this is the key. We proclaim the message boldly, in word and deed, and Jesus sends His Spirit to move hearts and minds toward Himself.

There is no Christianity without Christ. He should dominate our way of life. For those who have long been away from the Lord, or maybe never felt they had encountered Him, let them find Him in us.