Your Plan…the Best Plan!

Last evening, a lady came to me and said, “Father, please pray for me. I am going on a retreat. I want to renew my life”. The desire for renewal is at the heart of every person. Lent is the perfect time for renewal as it is always associated with Baptism. For the Catechumens the immediate preparation for the reception of Baptism begins with Lent, and for the Baptized it is a time to renew their baptismal promises. There are countless ways for renewal. However, the Scripture readings this weekend (Second Sunday of lent: Genesis 22:1-2,9,10-13,15-18, Roman 8:31-34, Mark 9: 2-10) offer the key to renewal; they are listening and surrendering. Let us reflectively go through these readings a little bit.

Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them to a high mountain. And Jesus was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white. Then Moses and Elijah appeared. This heavenly vision literally mesmerized the disciples, especially Peter. Fully alive and with full of excitement Peter came out with a creative proposal. He said, “It is good to be here! Let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah”. However, Peter’s plan was not accepted or appreciated. Instead God said, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” In other words, God said: Forget about your plan and listen and follow what Jesus says! This is the same sort of advice Mary gave to the servants when they informed her about the shortage of wine at the wedding feast of Cana (Jn 2:5). It is not about making a plan for God but accepting God’s plan is the core of Christian spirituality. This idea echoes through out the Bible. King David, for example, after settling down from war, said to Nathan: “Look, I am living in a palace whereas God is dwelling in a Tent. This is not right. I will build a temple for Him”. God disapproved his idea and said: “Who are you to make a plan for me? I will make plan for you” (2 Samuel 7: 1ff).

Abandoning our plan for God and finding his plan for me is the heart of spiritual life. For, as Thomas Merton said, “Even though I think I am following God’s will, it does not mean actually I am doing so”. Very often behind our plan hides our desire for self promotion.

The Bible presents a number of personalities who literally listened to and surrendered to the plan of God. Abraham comes first in this long list. God promised Abraham, land and progeny. This promise had to be fulfilled through Isaac, his only Son. Now God ask him to sacrifice Isaac. Imagine the struggle, confusion and anxieties of Abraham. Abraham, however, believed that the plan of God is better than his, even if it might appear difficult. “God will provide”, with unwavering faith Abraham said to Isaac when he was asked, “Where is the Lamb for sacrifice”. Abraham believed in the goodness of God. Without a bit of doubt he raised the knife to sacrifice his son, Isaac.

When Peter said: I have a plan for you, Abraham said: Give me your plan.
When David said: I have a plan for you, Mary Said: Give me your plan.

Seeking plan for oneself independent of God is the beginning of disaster. Adam and Eve set aside God’s plan and listened to Satan (Gen 3:6). The people of Babel set aside God’s plan and set out to make a name for them. They all ended up in disaster (Gen 11: 1-10). Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Paradise. The people of Babel had to give up their project on half way. The Psalmist is absolutely right when he said: “If God does not watch over the city, in vain watchmen keep the vigil”.

Renewal starts working in our life, the moment we begin to listen to Him and surrender to His plan. The obedience of Abraham, Mary and Paul did not go in vain. God blessed them abundantly. Abraham became the Father of faith when he gave up his plan and accepted God’s plan. Mary became the Mother of God, when she gave up her plan and accepted God’s plan. Paul became the great evangelizer when he gave up his plan and accepted God’s plan…! Listen to God, discern his plan and live it faithfully. As we read in the book of Romans (Roman 8:31), “If God is with us who can stand against us?” It is not personal achievements but faithfulness that counts in the end.