Desert Reflections: Costly grace

EGYPTIAN LEADER Anwar Sadat, US president Jimmy Carter and prime minister Menachem Begin meet at Camp David in September 1978. (photo credit: CIA). Sadat famously responded to his wife’s prediction that he would likely be assassinated for negotiating with Israel saying: ” If I’m assassinated, then I’ll die for peace.” Anwar Sadat died from an assassin’s bullet Oct. 6, 1981.

Fr Jim points out that amazing things can happen if we are open to God’s grace.  Like St. Paul in today’s first reading, Anwar Sadat came to a dramatic change of heart – from pursuing violence and hatred with Israel to pursuing peace and friendship.  And, like St Paul, responding to God’s grace ultimately cost him his life. May we, like them, have the courage to respond to God’s grace – no matter what the cost.

Today’s Readings

I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy… I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man.
1 TM 1:1-2, 12-14

“Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”
LK 6:39-42