Pressing On

SCRIPTURE
- Philippians 3:13-14 
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

REFLECTION
- Sr. Charlene

MUSIC
- Keep Me Safe, O God by Foley (sung my 7pm Sunday Choir)

- Just As I Am by David Nevue

NOTES
-

PRAYER OF LETTING GO
To You do I belong, O God,
into Your hands I surrender my life.
Pour out Your Spirit upon me
that I may love You perfectly,
and serve You faithfully
until my soul rests in You.

Transcript

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SPEAKER_02 0:50

And that is why we gather like this each day, to give thanks to the one who is our hope and joy. Welcome to prayer. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 1:15

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

SPEAKER_00 2:50

Paul's letter to the Philippians, chapter three, verses thirteen and fourteen. I do not consider that I have made it my own, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind, and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. The word of the Lord. This time last month, I embarked on the Camino de Santiago, the historic way of Saint James, walking from Leon to Santiago de Compostela, the resting place of Saint James in Spain. Needless to say, when I read this passage from Paul's letter to the Philippians, I immediately thought of our pilgrimage. Forgetting what lies behind and journeying forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal. Twenty-four of my students and six chaperones completed three hundred kilometers and we received the Compostella, an official certificate of accomplishment that documents the completion of the Comuna de Santiago pilgrimage. Well, this was a wildly amazing experience, a personal accomplishment and a spiritual journey. I don't believe this is exactly what St. Paul is referring to in verses thirteen and fourteen. And yet it may be a great parallel for God's invitation to each of us to love God perfectly, serve God faithfully until our soul rests in God eternally. As we the God-minute community pray each morning. Paul reminds us that spiritual growth is a marathon, it's not a checklist. Paul admits about himself that he hasn't reached perfection. This vulnerability is incredibly liberating. Because if Paul was still a work in progress, then I can extend that same grace to myself. Remember, everything has a past and every sinner has a future. I believe the heart of his message is momentum to keep moving forward. Paul refuses to let his history dictate his destiny. And in our own lives, it can be easy to get caught in past mistakes, in sinfulness, or even paralyzed by past excesses that might keep us stuck. Paul challenges us to cut those anchors. And faith requires a forward-looking posture, keeping our eyes fixed on the purpose that God has placed in front of us. Ultimately, this text is an invitation to walk, to run with freedom. We do not have to carry the weight of yesterday into the potential of tomorrow. Every new day is a beckoning from God to lace up our shoes, look ahead, and keep moving toward Jesus. Again, I think of the Camino, and every day there was a rhythm, a repetition. Rise, eat, walk, hydrate, rest, eat, walk, hydrate, rest, and then repeat day after day. Each day, as a sister of Saint Joseph, I make a new beginning in our little institute, as our constitution's note. Every day matters in this journey called life. More significant, though, is that the end of this sprint, there is more than a meeting of a goal. There's union with Jesus. The goal of our spiritual life is not a dry rule following or some abstract theology, but it's eternal life with our triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Buen Camino.

SPEAKER_02 7:42

And together we pray, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Let us pray. God of new beginnings, help us release what has been, and trust what is yet to come. Free us from the regrets, the hurts and worries of yesterday, so that we may receive this day with open hearts. Remind us that you are already waiting for us in the moment and in whatever lies ahead. So give us the courage to begin again and the faith to always follow where you lead. We ask through Christ our Lord. Sister Charlene said, It is easy to get caught in past mistakes, but faith requires keeping our eyes fixed on God right in front of us. In other words, it's about letting go of whatever pulls us down. And friends, that is why we pray every day at this moment, our prayer of letting go. To you do I belong, O God. Into your hands I surrender my life. Pour out your Spirit upon me, that I may love you perfectly and serve you faithfully until my soul rests in you. Thanks for being with us today in prayer. Let's press on towards the goal today, knowing God is waiting. And let's give someone a high five while we're doing it. Spread the love and the joy with the Almighty's blessing upon us in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Go in peace, brothers and sisters. Know your loved, and we'll see you tomorrow.