Just as I am

I came across this quote from the renowned Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988).  ‘What you are is God’s gift to you.  What you become is your gift to God.’  It resonates with me because I have long felt that ‘offering’ is at the heart of our Catholic and Carmelite life.  God wants us to offer ourselves freely – and that is what opens the door to our hearts so that the grace can flood in.  The thing is to offer Him ourselves just as we are.  As the hymn says, ‘Just as I am/without one plea/but that thy blood was shed for me/O lamb of God, I come.’  Although I did understand the principle of this as a Catholic, I think it was Carmel that showed me how I was to do it, what my particular path of offering was to be.  Carmel has been a beacon in my life.

Intercessions:

Rosemarie – multiple afflictions

Agnes – operation today

Siena – infant with severe medical issues

Bernard – cancer, and wife Angela

Marie - cancer