# Total Commitment – Wednesday, Week 1
*2017-03-10*

> Bill Young reflects on the theme of total commitment from Pope Francis’ Lenten reflections and leads a prayer for the sick, especially his aunt Suzanne in Toronto.

## The Theme of Total Commitment

The reading for today comes from Deuteronomy 6:5: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”  Commitment means assuming responsibility for a task and carrying it out with faithfulness, dedication, and care. Each day we are called to put our heart and soul into prayer, work, study, and even recreation. God’s first commitment was creating the world, and despite our failures, He remains committed to sustaining it. His greatest commitment is giving us Jesus, who fully gave Himself to restore hope to the poor, the sick, the captive, and sinners.

## Living Out Commitment

The thought of the day asks: How might I help God overcome evil in my life today? The opposite of evil is love, so we are called to spread love and goodness even to those who seem to spread evil. Love conquers evil.

## Prayer for the Sick

Let us pray for the sick, especially Bill’s aunt Suzanne Law in Toronto, Canada, who is facing kidney surgery and cancer.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we bring Suzanne before you. Grant her the health you will give, and if it is not your will, give her the grace to bear her cross with courage. Purify our hearts so that we may share your mercy with her. Protect her from pain and let your holy will be done in her life. May she bear her cross with courage, and may your name be glorified.

Lord, may your holy will be done in all of us. Amen.

*True commitment means loving God fully and extending that love to others, especially those who are suffering.*