St Cyril of Alexandria

THIRD WEEK OF LENT - Year II - Friday

Night Office Reading. So early it can be difficult to listen. Nothing is wrong with my hearing, the acoustics can be fuzzy, the reader may be unclear, my attention may falter. In spite of all, in some morning, the Holy Spirit penetrates through the fog and illuminates the message. This morning it was the case of the words of the brilliant theologian Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444). It makes me want to share more of Cyril’s love in expounding the filial relation of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. First Reading From the book of Exodus (35:30 - 36:1; 37:1-9) Responsory Psalm 84:2-3; 132:7 How dear to me your dwelling place, Lord God of hosts! My soul is yearning for the courts of the Lord. - My heart and my flesh exult in the living God. Let us go to the place where he dwells; let us worship at his footstool - My heart and ... Second Reading From the commentary on Saint John's gospel by Saint Cyril of Alexandria (Lib. 11, 10: PG 74, 544-545) In this work, written before the outbreak of the Nestorian controversy in 429, Cyril seeks to bring out the dogmatic meaning of the gospel and to refute heresy. He teaches in this passage that by offering himself as a sacrificial victim, Christ reconciled the world with the Father and so made it possible for us to receive the Holy Spirit, through whom we are sanctified and given a share in the divine nature. Christ said: For their sake I sanctify myself. In terms of the law, any offering made to God was said to be sanctified. Such for example was the offering the Israelites made of all their firstborn children. Sanctify to me all the firstborn, God commanded his saintly Moses. In other words, consecrate and offer them, set them apart as sacred. Since sanctification, then. was regarded as the equivalent of consecration and setting apart, we may say that in this sense the Son of God sanctified himself for our sake; for he offered himself as a victim, a holy sacrifice to God the Father, and by so doing he reconciled the world with the Father and restored the fallen human race to his friendship. For he, Scripture says, is our peace. We must realize, however, that our return to God is not accomplished by Christ our Saviour except through the Spirit in which he causes us to share and by which we are sanctified, for it is the Spirit that binds us to God and in a real way makes us one with him. By receiving the Spirit through the Son we become sharers in the divine nature and, in the Son. we receive the Father also. Concerning Christ John in his wisdom wrote to us: We know that we are in him and he is in us because he allows us to share his own Spirit. And what does Paul say? The proof that you are his children is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, the Spirit that cries out, "Abba, Father." If we had remained without a share in the Spirit, we should have had no experience of God's presence within us; nor could we ever have become the children of God had we not been enriched by the Spirit to whom we owe that title. How indeed could we have been adopted as children and enabled to share in the divine nature if God did not dwell within us, and if we had not been united to him by being called to receive a share in the Spirit? Now, however, we are sharers in the supreme Being and have become temples of God. For God's only Son sanctified himself on account of our sins; in other words, he consecrated and offered himself as a holy and fragrant sacrifice to God the Father, thus removing the barrier of sin that separated us from God. Henceforward there was nothing to hinder us from having access to him and adhering to him in close communion through participation in the Holy Spirit, who restores to us our original righteousness and holiness. If sin separates us from God, righteousness will surely be a bond of union with him and a means of setting us at his side with no division between us. We have been justified, Scripture declares, by our faith in Christ, who was delivered up for our sins and raised for our justification. In him, as the first fruits of the human race, our whole nature was restored to newness of life, and returning as it were to its beginning, was formed anew in order to be sanctified. Responsory 1 Corinihians 3: 17; 6:19-20 Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that God's spirit lives in you? - God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. You do not belong to yourselves; you were brought for a price. So use your body for the glory of God. - God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Roscrea Abbey Region Meeting

REGIONAL MEETING OF THE REGION OF THE ISLES 1-8 March, 2010 Mount St Joseph Abbey Roscrea, Ireland Participants Monastery Superior Delegate Whitland M Christine Wood Sr Jean Byrne Mount Melleray Dom Michael Ahern Fr Denis Luke O’Hanlon Mount St Bernard Dom Joseph Delargy Br David Howells Mount St Joseph Dom Richard Purcell Fr Liam O’Connor Caldey Dom Daniel Van Santvoort Br Luca Cestaro Glencairn M Marie Fahy Sr Michelle Miller Mellifont Dom Augustine McGregor Br Joseph Ryan Nunraw Dom Mark Caira Br Philip Bell Bethlehem Dom Celsus Kelly Br Columba O’Neill Bolton Dom Peter Garvey Br Brian O’Dowd Tautra M Rosemary Durcan Sr Hanne-Maria Berentzen Invited Guests Diepenveen Dom Alberic Bruschke Munkeby Fr Joël Regnard Generalate M. Regina Nebo Bernardines d’Esquermes Hyning Sr Josephine-Mary Miller Brownshill Sr Elizabeth Mary Mann Secretary Sr Sheryl Frances Chen (Tautra)

COMMENT

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: William J . . .
To: Fr Donald . . .
Sent: Wed, March 10, 2010 7:05:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Blog] homily / photos / petition 21,500+ !

Dear Donald,

I am enjoying your Blog updates, thank you! Fr. Aelred delivers a good homily indeed... "second chance".

Goodness, Fr. Nivard and yourself do look cold in that photo, and I can see the snow still lying. Whit Castle is very bleak!

The turret staircase (I wonder if your room was in the old tower?) recalls for me my silent tread as I rose for Vigils and tiptoed down to the hall, before setting out into the darkness for the Night Office.

Snowdrops - the spirit of Lent, white, pure, strong - a lovely corner to greet one on the drive!

I hope you have recovered from the 'flu germ, and that the Community are all now well.

What a long winter you are experiencing.

William

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Thank you, William.

It seems that Spring is round the corner.

D.

Photo COMMENT

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Anne Marie
To: Donald
Sent: Tue, March 9, 2010 11:50:35 PM
Subject: RE: 20,000 signatures

Very interesting angles on the architecture?
The family photo shows rather a mottley crew.

All in all I think your photos are taking on a much more artistic flavour.

I am going to an Outward Bound Centre in Loch Eil with the pupils for 3 days.

There is the opportunity for some fantastic photos- so no doubt I will bombard you
with some water, mountains and a few sunsets...........Happy Days.

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Moses NT 80 mentions

Homily by F. Aelred

3^rd Sunday of Lent (C)

Moses was a key figure in the history of Salvation, mentioned over 80 times in the New Testament. His entire life was shaped by and given over to God who, through the Burning Bush, called him to liberate his people from slavery and to bring them to the Promised Land.

The stay of Moses shed light on his relationship with God and gives us some insight into the mystery of who God is.

In today’s First Reading we are presented with a God who is right in the midst his people’s lives.

Not a remote figure unaware of the cruel reality that afflicts them and certainly not content to let things rest as they are. God says: ‘I have seen’, ‘I have heard’, ‘I am well aware, ‘I have come down’. Through Moses we come to realise that God is a God who acts in the lives of his people and intervenes to help them in their needs.

What was it that God saw in Moses that made him the right man to lead his people from slavery to freedom? Prior to the revelation in the Burning Bush we are given three episodes in his life. He saw an Egyptian attacking an Israelite, and he intervened. He saw an Israelite attacking an Israelite, and he intervened. He saw Midianite shepherds preventing Jethro’s daughters from watering their flocks, and he intervened.
All these incidents show us that Moses was the kind of man who couldn’t stand idly when he saw as injustice or a crime happening. We can understand then why God chose him to lead his people from slavery to freedom.

As Moses approached the Burning Bush he was told: ‘the place on which you stand is holy ground’. What was it that made that particular piece of scrubland holy? It was the presence of God. But let us not forget that God is everywhere, and we could say the holiest ground of all is within us.

First of all the body is holy. Our body is the work of God. St. Paul gives us a further reason for respecting the body. He says, ‘Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit’. Then the mind is holy ground. Although we can fill our minds every day with all kinds of trash derived from television, newspapers, gossip and so on, it need not be so. Again St. Paul writing to the Philippians, gives us good advice: ‘Fill your minds with everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour, everything that can be thought virtuous and worthy of praise’.

But the holiest ground of all is that of the heart. It’s from the heart all our thoughts, words, and deeds flow like water from a hidden spring.
If the spring is clean, then all that flows from it will be clean. So we must try above all to keep the heart clean and pure. It is especially on this holy ground that we will see and meet God. In the words of Jesus: ‘Blessed are the pure of heart, they will see God’.

Today’s parable, from St. Luke, has been called ‘the parable of the second chance’ because it teaches that God offers people a second chance, as the apostles Peter and Paul could testify. The gardener tells the owner of the vineyard that it is necessary to give the fig tree another chance to bear fruit. With nourishment and care something may come from the life of the tree.

When Jesus tells us to repent he doesn’t mean that we should be walking around beating ourselves in public. In the NT the word translated as repentance is the Greek word metanoia. The word means a change of mind and change on conduct. Lent is an opportunity to new beginnings for ourselves, and perhaps we should take the opportunity to give one a second chance.

Saint John Ogilvie

10 March 2010

Saint John Ogilvie

St John Ogilvie, Priest and Martyr, SJ (Memorial)
John Ogilvie, the son of a wealthy laird, Walter Ogilvie, was born into a respected Calvinist family at Drum-na-Keith in Banffshire, Scotland, in 1579. As a youth he studied on the continent at a number of Catholic institutions – under the Benedictines at Regensburg, Germany, and with the Jesuits at Olomouc and Brno (in the present-day Czech Republic). Perhaps under the influence of his teachers, he decided to become a Catholic and was received into the Church at the Scots College in Louvain, Belgium, in 1596 at the age of 17 by Fr Cornelius a Lapide. In 1599 he joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and was ordained priest in Paris in 1610.

Following his ordination he begged to be sent back to his native Scotland in order to minister to the small number of remaining Catholics in the Glasgow area. After the Scottish reformation in 1560, it had become illegal to preach or, in any way, support the Catholic faith. In the meantime, John went to work in Rouen, France. Earlier, wholesale massacres of Catholics had taken place in Scotland, but by this time the hunters concentrated more on priests than on those who secretly attended Mass. Among others, the Jesuits were determined to minister to the oppressed Catholic laity. They knew that, when captured, they would be tortured for information, then hanged, drawn, and quartered.

In November 1613 John was able to return secretly to Scotland, disguised as a soldier. He began to preach secretly to the Catholics and celebrate the Eucharist in private homes in Edinburgh and Glasgow. He evaded the priest hunters disguised as a soldier called Watson. But his ministry was only to last 11 months. On 4 October 1614, he was betrayed by a false friend, arrested in Glasgow and imprisoned in Paisley. He was subjected to interrogations and dreadful tortures, including being kept awake for eight consecutive days and nights in an effort to make him reveal the identities of other Catholics. He was brought to trial on 10 March 1615, accused of denying the king’s supremacy in religious matters and convicted on the same day of high treason. He was paraded through the streets of Glasgow and hanged at Glasgow Cross. He was 36 years of age.

His last words were, “If there be here any hidden Catholics, let them pray for me but the prayers of heretics I will not have.” After being pushed from the ladder, he threw his hidden rosary beads into the crowd. It is said that they were caught by someone supporting his execution who, as a result, was converted to the Catholic faith. After his execution, Ogilvie’s followers were rounded up and put in prison. They were given heavy fines but none of them was executed. John was buried in a felon’s grave to the north of Glasgow Cathedral.
John Ogilvie was beatified as a martyr of the Counter-Reformation by Pope Pius XI in 1929 and canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1976.
He is the Church’s only post-Reformation saint and the only officially recorded martyr from Scotland.

See Post:

john ogilvie martyr

10 Mar 2009

john ogilvie (1579-1615) performed ministry in his native scotland for only 11 months after he returned to his homeland following 22 years abroad. he is the only canonized scottish martyr from the time of the reformation, ...

http://nunraw.blogspot.com/

Mount Tabor

• At the memory of the Transfiguration today, I asked Fr. Raymond of his visit to Mount Tabor. He recalled that as the Pilgrims from Edinburgh (2006) arrived at the top of the Mount of Tabor they were amused to see a large group of young soldiers sprawled on the ground. They were exhausted from the military exercise of walking/running the height of the Mountain.
  
  
• A FMM Sister remembers that she had the benefit of spending a week's Retreat at the Carmelite Convent on Mount Tabor.
  
  
• Listening to the Gospel of the Transfiguration may prompt less exalted reminiscences. 2003, I kept a Journal on the Holy Places. After we desended from Tabor my Journal was missing. The people on the coach were full of concern and they were kind enough to have me taxied back up Tabor. By good fortune, the missing book was found in the Carmelite Shop.

• 2004. Two brothers, N & D, in front of Basilica.
  
  
• In the Crytpt are represented the symbols of the Transfiguration of Christ: in his birth, in the Eucharist, in his Deat and Resurrection.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36 Year C Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem . Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." - He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, "This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him." And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen. From a homily by Saint Cyril of Alexandria (Hom. 9 in transfiguratione Domini: PG 77, 1011-1014) This sermon is one of a series of homilies on Saint Luke's gospel. Of the original Greek only three sermons and some fragments remain. In this extract Cyril develops Luke's teaching that suffering is the way to glory. Moses and Elijah are witnesses to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning Jesus. With three chosen disciples Jesus went up the mountain. Then he was transfigured by a wonderful light that made even his clothes seem to shine. Moses and Elijah stood by him and spoke with him of how he was going to complete his task on earth by dying in Jerusalem . In other words, they spoke of the mystery of his incarnation, and of his saving passion upon the cross. For the law of Moses and the teaching of the holy prophets clearly foreshadowed the mystery of Christ. The law portrayed it by types and symbols inscribed on tablets. The prophets in many ways foretold that in his own time he would appear, clothed in human nature, and that for the salvation of all our race he would not refuse to suffer death upon the cross. The presence of Moses and Elijah, and their speaking together, was meant to show unmistakably that the law and the prophets were the attendants of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was their master, whom they had themselves pointed out in advance in prophetic words that proved their perfect harmony with one another. The message of the prophets was in no way at variance with the precepts of the law. Moses and Elijah did not simply appear in silence; they spoke of how Jesus was to complete his task by dying in Jerusalem , they spoke of his passion and cross, and of the resurrection that would follow. Thinking no doubt that the time for the kingdom of God had already come; Peter would gladly have remained on the mountain. He suggested putting up three tents, hardly knowing what he was saying. But it was not yet time for the end of the world; nor was it in this present time that the hopes of the saints would be fulfilled-those hopes founded on Paul's promise that Christ would transform our lowly bodies into the likeness of his glorious body. Only the initial stage of the divine plan had as yet been accomplished. Until its completion was it likely that Christ, who came on earth for love of the world, would give up his wish to die for it? For his submitting to death was the world's salvation, and his resurrection was death's destruction. As well as the vision of Christ's glory, wonderful beyond all description, something else occurred which was to serve as a vital confirmation, not only of the disciple’s faith, but of ours as well. From a cloud on high came the voice of God the Father saying: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.

Lord's Prayer Comment

COMMENT

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: William . . .
To: Fr Donald . . .
Sent: Wed, February 24, 2010 7:24:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Blog] Tuesday's Gospel



Dear Father Donald,

I love the sensitive commentary of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross [St. Edith Stein] on The Lord's Prayer.

I would like to share with you extracts from the [1,380 word] commentary in the 'Christian Community Bible' (Claretian Publications, St Pauls - Philippines). I enjoy the delightful simplicity and directness of the commentary that runs alongside the text:

In Matthew’s text there are twelve verses expressing seven petitions: two perfect numbers: three (God’s number) that refers to God, four (earth’s number) that refers to our needs... Holy be your name! The Father only wants to seal us with his Name so that we will be united with him, like the Father and the Son united by the Holy Spirit... In the language spoken by Jesus, the key word is come: Your Kingdom come. With the coming of Jesus, that Kingdom has come near to us. The believers now perceive him not as a God who imposes obligations, but recognize him in the gift of his Son, in the humiliation of the Son and in their mutual love... On earth as in heaven. It reminds us that everything in this world that is created and subject to time depends on another, uncreated world, where time does not exist and which is nothing less than the mystery of God. There the Father sees the universe unified in Christ and his will fulfilled and glorified by all... What should we say? The bread “we need” or our “daily” bread or sustenance? The original text uses a difficult word that has different meanings. Many have understood that the children of God feel the need of much more than what is asked for the body, and that the eucharist was already meant as it is in the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves... When we forgive someone who asks for forgiveness, we free ourselves from some rancor or hatred that is poisoning us. Inasmuch as we stick to our rights, we hold fast to this world. God wants to forgive us and bring us closer to him, but how can he if we remain anchored to the things of this world?.. We will be more prudent if we know that the enemy is not simply evil, but the evil one. Somebody stronger than ourselves is watching to deceive us, to make us lose faith and fall, as soon as we feel sure of ourselves and abandon the means given by Jesus for perseverance in the faith and in the Church.

Rather more mystical and affective are the readings (laid out in the Divine Office, Vol 3, Office of Readings, Week 11) from the treatise of St. Cyprian 'On the Lord's Prayer'. On Tuesday, I had thought this series of readings was beginning, for the reading was from the early chapter of this treatise.. but it was only the introduction that was appointed for the day, to correspond with the Gospel passage! So I contented myself with other commentaries until your Blog posting showed that exquisite reflection of St. Edith Stein.

Thank you for all the delights you discover to us!

. . .

William

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Thank you, William.
The Eucharistic wonders go on with the unfolding by the Saints and the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Quite unending as more light shines . . .

Meister Eckhart, On the Lord's Prayer

English Translation and Commentary

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - This is very much work in progress - so please feel free to comment, suggest corrections asf.

http://academici.sossoon.net/blog/7025/meister_eckhart_on_the_lords_prayer.html

International Association of Lay Cistercian Communities COMMENT About us Cistercian Oblate Gabriele Franziska Heitfeld-Panther The „Weggemeinschaft St. Benedikt“ is an open Christian community: People of different origin seeking God in connection with the Cistercian monastery Zisterzienserkloster Langwaden. In 2002 the community was inititated by Gabriele Franziska Heitfeld-Panther (Cistercian oblate). We hold regular meetings. Monthly day retreats and two weekend retreats a year give us the opportunity to get to know the Cistercian spirituality and to let it bear fruit in our everyday life. The aim of each meeting is to be on our way with Christ, praying, learning more about our faith and trying to become familiar with the Rule of St. Benedict and Cistercian roots. Celebrating the eucharist marks the centre of each meeting. The membership is open, there is no promise. The community is supported by monks of the Zisterzienserkloster Langwaden, as well as by other monersteries and by several extern priests. Since spring 2007 Father Heribert Weinbrenner,Cistercian Secular Oblate, has been supporting the community as spiritual advisor.

Forty Days of Lent

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Gabriele . . .
To: Donald Nunraw . . .
Sent: Wed, February 24, 2010 12:35:15 PM
Subject: Lent Meditation

Thank you, Gabriele.
It was good of you to use the Nunraw Cloister Station scene with your Lent Meditation:
"The forty days of Lent can be a fruitful time, when we look at ourselves, our everyday lives, and when we accept, in places where we may be challenged, to go with this Jesus and bear his cross however short the distance may be".

Wishing you St. Benedict's blessing of the joy of the Holy Spirit of Lent.

Meditation: February / March 2010

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene , who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)

How do I cope with situations like that in everyday life, when the usual routine is „crossed“ and when my plans are being thwarted? A sudden illness makes it impossible to go on holiday. Or, the partner has changed so much that everyday life can hardly go on because of his or her psychological problems? - But we also have to look at the small things in everyday life: someone is looking for help while you are having your break. How often do we think that whatever has just been put in our way, we want to get rid of it.

The forty days of Lent can be a fruitful time, when we look at ourselves, our everyday lives, and when we accept, in places where we may be challenged, to go with this Jesus and bear his cross however short the distance may be.

The piece of art shown above also brings into mind the words of the Holy Scriptures: „If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.“ (Matthew 5,41) That makes the matter even more radical: it means, not only to keep walking when you are convinced, it is doing you some good; much more, you are asked to keep going when it seems absurd and hardly bearable to share the next step with a certain person or to proceed in a particular matter, when you cannot expect anything or even have to fear scorn and derision.

The love Jesus is talking about is radical, indeed. What do I do with my colleague who is an alcoholic and gets on my nerves and leaves the work to me? What do I do with a student who is acting up all the time disturbing the schedule? What do I do with a good friend who has disappointed me because I know he acted in a very unethical way? You know someone has acted against you, you know it was defamation, yet, you are asked to stay polite, forgive, love, even bless?

Often it may hurt to walk the second mile; yet, this second mile is often the place where evangelization takes place, without words, „just“ acting. It is the chance to let the love of Christ become alive among people. Walking the way of patience transforms.

This Simon was a plain man, who was on his way back from the field. Thus he can be an image of how holiness can be achieved in everyday life. Following Jesus, helping him bear the cross, begins in the simple things and in moments, when we, although it may hurt, do not give up hope.

As long as we are living on earth we are again and again invited to join Jesus on his path, the path we joined through baptism. Lent is also the time to fasten our steps on the path of communio with our fellow men, to firmly orientate our tasks and decisions in this world towards Jesus, to strive for deeper decisiveness, for a stronger Christian orientation and to find strength.

Photo: Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw / Scotland , Stations of the Cross

http://www.weggemeinschaft-st-benedikt.de/

Lent Tuesday First Week

Seven Petitions in the Lord’s Prayer

Tues 23 Feb 2009 Opening Comment was on the 7 petitions in the Lord’s Prayer, as in the Gospel and as in the Mass pre-Communion. . . . Mat 6:12-13 And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. The following prayer answers closely to the Petitions, “Deliver us, Lord, from ever evil, and grant us peace. . .” It strikes the chord expressing the Eucharistic significance of the Lord’s Prayer. The words from St. Benedicta of the Cross, (EdithStein), reflects the sensitivity of a priest preparing the Communion.

DAILY GOSPEL dailygospel org «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68 23 February 2010 Tuesday of the First week of Lent Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 6:7-15. This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. Commentary of the day : Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross [Edith Stein] (1891-1942), Carmelite, martyr, co-patron of Europe The Our Father and the Eucharist All that we need to be received into the communion of saints is summed up in the seven petitions of the Our Father, which the Lord did not pray in his own name, but to instruct us. We say it before communion, and when we say it sincerely and from our hearts and receive communion in the proper spirit, it fulfills all our petitions. Communion delivers us from evil, because it cleanses us of sin and gives us peace of heart that takes away the sting of all other "evils." It brings us the forgiveness of past sins and strengthens us in the face of temptations. It is itself the bread of life that we need daily to grow into eternal life. It makes our will into an instrument at God's disposal. Thereby it lays the foundation for the kingdom of God in us and gives us clean lips and a pure heart to glorify God's holy name.