A Libation

Yesterday I finished carving my nativity. I will try to finish my project today using this. 

Today I think about St. Paul. 

He said in a letter to Timothy, " For I am already poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge will award to me, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for His appearance." 2 Timothy 4:6-8

It is wonderful how sure St. Paul was of receiving the crown. He lived his life in the service of God. It was not without conflict. I suppose I am thinking in this direction because of some disagreements I am having right now which are difficult to resolve and it is reassuring to me that even saints had differences of opinions on the Christian way of dealing with situations. 

St. Paul had discord with St. Peter, and other pillars of the early church, and there was even a controversy that led to the “Council of Jerusalem”. So running the race does not mean we will never have conflict, never make mistakes. Even Jesus made the mistake of choosing Judas to be His disciple after praying for discernment, didn’t He? But as long as we don’t give up, as long as we keep the faith, running the race with every intention of obeying God, we can depend on Him to help us, to make “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28)