It is prayer that roots us in this truth [that without Christ we can do nothing] (Jn 15:5). It constantly reminds us of the primacy of Christ and, in union with Him, the primacy of the interior life and of holiness. When this principle is not respected, is it any wonder that pastoral plans come to nothing and leave us with a disheartening sense of frustration? We them share the experience of the disciples..."We have toiled all night and caught nothing" (Lk 5:5). This is the moment of faith, of prayer, of conversation with God in order to open our hearts to the tide of grace and allow the word of Christ to pass through us in all its power: "Duc in altum! On that occasion, it was Peter who spoke the word of faith: "At your word I will let down the nets" (ibid)...I invite the whole Church to make this act of faith, which expresses itself in a renewed commitment to prayer."
(Novo Millennio Ineunte 38)
4th Week of Advent
The Primacy of Grace II
Sunday December 30, 2025 - Marcel Dion -
This is one of my all time favourite quotes from St John Paul II. It seems to me to be so simple, and yet so profound. I can’t help but wonder what kind of shift, expansion, and elevation would come about in the Church (i.e. in us lay people as well as clerics) if we all adopted this pastoral plan.
We’re all aware of many “plans” that the Lord is using effectively to draw souls and which result in conversions. But we do well to guard against putting out faith and trust in these programmes. The bottom line, the beginning and end of all things is quite simply JESUS! An actual person, divine yes, but also fully human. A person who is to be “known”; that’s the starting point, “loved”; that’s the inevitable by-product of knowing Jesus, “and imitated”, that’s our response of faith to knowing and loving Him, “so that in Him we can live the life of the Trinity”; that’s the mind-blowing mystery we are invited to embrace, “and with Him transform history”; that’s the awesome destiny to which we are all called!