Thursday, August 31, 2017
There is an interesting contrast
in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (3:7-13), our first reading at Mass
today.
Paul tells the Thessalonians
that there are shortcomings in their faith and that he wants to visit in
order to remedy them.
Immediately after that he extends
a beautiful blessing: “. . . may the Lord make you increase and abound in love
for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your
hearts to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of
our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.”
On the one hand, they are deficient.
On the other hand, they are loved and cared for much as a father and mother do
for their children, children who still have a lot to learn and who at times are
far less than perfect.
That is the way God cares for us
his children. It’s not a question of how much we know and understand. It’s not
a question of whether or not we measure up to any particular standard at all:
we are loved and cherished and blessed before we attain any pre-assumed level
of perfection, wisdom or knowledge.
Knowing that, perhaps we can be more
patient towards ourselves. And doing that, perhaps we can be more understanding
and patient when we see what we think are the shortcomings of others.
God bless you!
No comments:
Post a Comment