the best-laid plans
"Coming within sight of the city, He (Jesus) wept over it and said: 'If only you had known the path...' " —Luke 19:41-42
The Lord has plans to give us "a future full of hope" (Jer 29:11). He wants to give us abundant life (Jn 10:10), perfect happiness, and eternal love so much that He became a human being and died on the cross for us.
God the Father's heart is grieved (see Gn 6:6) when we defeat His plan for us (Lk 7:30) by choosing death rather than life (see Dt 30:19) and sin rather than salvation. Jesus was saddened and broke into tears when Jerusalem failed to recognize the time of its visitation (Lk 19:41, 44) and rendered void the cross of Jesus (1 Cor 1:17) for its people. We grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30) when we refuse to eat the scroll (Ez 3:1) which Jesus has died to open for us (see Rv 5:5). We sadden the triune God if we refuse to live our vocations fully and thereby reject His plans for us.
On this patronal feast of Our Lady of Presentation Ministries, pray that all those touched in any way by Presentation Ministries will fully live God's plan for them. Accept God's plan of love for your life.
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us Your love through Our Lady of Presentation Ministries.
Promise: "With Your blood You purchased for God men of every race and tongue, of every people and nation. You made of them a kingdom, and priests to serve our God, and they shall reign on the earth." —Rv 5:9-10
Praise: Through the intercession of Our Lady of Presentation and Presentation Ministries, Rhonda had a conversion that led to laying down her life in service for her Christian brothers and sisters.
Reference: (Pray about joining Our Lady of Presentation Ministries. Ask for a co-worker brochure. You may wish to order our tape on Presentation Ministries on audio AV 61-1 or video V-61.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002