All things through him

The world is a terribly uncertain place and sometimes it seems impossible to prepare for, let alone endure, the unpredictable ups and downs that life throws at us.

In today's first reading (Philippians 4:10-19), St. Paul reveals his experience of life's challenging ups and downs as well as the secret of his success.

I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.

In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed
and of going hungry,
of living in abundance
and of being in need.

I have the strength for everything
through him who empowers me.

The one who empowers St. Paul, of course, is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: the same Lord who can and will empower us in all of our successes and all of our challenges - if only we remain rooted in him.