Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Know Your Weakness, Your Strength

October 1: Wednesday of Week 26 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus
Job 9:1-13, 14-16; Psalm 88:10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Luke 9:57-62

What is Jesus saying to us as stewards of his kingship? 
(To support Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life... Step Five).




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Know Your Weakness, Your Strength
“I, O Lord, cry out to you” (Psalm 88:13).

Job says God alone “stretches out the heavens and treads upon the crests of the sea.” But Jesus says, “the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” In Jesus God shared our powerlessness. And still does.

Paul was not kidding when he wrote, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” He applied it to himself: “Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” (Colossians 1:27; 2Corinthians 12:10).

If we have any power or ability at all, we are tempted to trust in it. Then, when we see it is not enough, we get discouraged. But if we really understand we can do nothing without God, we just do our best and leave the results completely to him. Paul was glad when anything reminded him of his weakness, because it helped him draw strength from God.

The pope declared Thérèse of Lisieux a “doctor of the Church” because of her “little way.” It is simply to see yourself as nothing and have total confidence in God. Experience helps teach us the first. We have to pray for the second.

PRAY: “Let my prayer come before you, Lord.”


PRACTICE: Trust God. But do what you can. Two sides of the same coin.

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