Doing God's Will

The language of Jeremiah as he addresses his yearnings to God—he says, “You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped” (Jeremiah 20:7)—indicates a close and personal relationship with God. It is one the prophet obviously cherishes despite the derision and reproach it brings him. In the Gospel, Jesus indicates a similar bond with his Father.

In spite of the difficult challenges presented by following God’s will, Jesus is not deterred. Giving up our own worldly cares and dreams, even as we accept pain and suffering, is more than a fair exchange for doing the will of God. The only way to do God’s will is offer our whole selves to God. As St. Paul writes in the Letter to the Romans: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2a).