Man proposes, God Disposes

In the “Imitation of Christ” written by Thomas A Kempis he says, ‘For the resolutions of the just depend rather on the grace of God than on their own wisdom; and in Him they always put their trust, whatever they take in hand. For man proposes, but God disposes; neither is the way of man in his own hands.’

In our own time we have become very reliant on our own ability to make decisions. There is a sense of personal autonomy when we are responsible for the decisions that we make. However, there is also a sense in which when we make decisions solely for ourselves we can lose a sense of corporate responsibility for each other. If we only make decisions for ourselves how do our lives have an impact on each other? If our moral sense is based solely on what we decide is good, how can we allow room for others? Where does God fit into the picture?

In the encounter with Jesus that we have experienced through the readings of John 6 we are left with the question hanging about who it is will lead our lives. Many of the people who heard Jesus speak were confronted by a reality which we encounter each week in the Eucharist. A person who calls us to enter into relationship with him. This is not about us forming Jesus in our own image and likeness but allowing us to be fashioned into God’s image and likeness.