September 9, 2016 - Friday

Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.
No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.
(1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NABRE)

When Saint Paul writes that we should "Take care not to fall," it is in the context of a lengthy comparison he is making to the Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt and lost faith in God during their desert journey. The point of the whole comparison with Israel is to caution against overconfidence, a sense of complete security. This warning is immediately balanced by a reassurance, based, however, on God.*

In the verses leading up to today's passage, Paul tells us not [to] desire evil things as they did, not [to] become idolaters, not [to] indulge in immorality. And not [to] grumble. Simply put he tells us not [to] test Christ.

With his reminder that we will be tested, we should simply remember not to become overconfident in our own abilities. We should, instead, trust in God who will always provide a way out of every trial--meaning we should look for it, ask for it, seek it.

Today, I will remember to seek God's way out of every trial, not mine.


Saint Peter Claver, whose life makes us aware of our own barely used potential and of our need to open ourselves more to the jolting power of Jesus' Spirit, pray for us.

There are just 5 days remaining in this shared prayer journey of ours. Please continue to join your prayers with mine here, for a daily minute of reflection. As Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) Though we gather together online, may our joining here reflect our deep desire to have Jesus in our midst.