Daily Retreat 08/30/08
2008 Aug 30 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM
1 Cor 1: 26-31/ Ps 32(33): 12-13. 18-19. 20-21/ Mt 25: 14-30
From today’s readings: “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.... Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own.... Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more!”
Boasting in the Lord
Although aware of our own failings, most of us have occasions of pride in certain abilities and accomplishments. Inordinate pride is sinful, of course, but there’s nothing wrong with pride that recognizes the creative gifts of God and His grace which has helped us develop those gifts.
“All that you are is God’s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God.” This adage successfully preserves humility while also encouraging self-disciple and initiative. All that is good in us is primarily attributable to God, who created us and provided the “raw material” for growth in goodness, as well as His grace to inspire and direct our efforts - this is His gift to us. Nonetheless, God has given us the dignity of cooperating in His creation, since we have a very real choice and role in either aiding or undermining His actions in our lives - this is our gift to Him.
So truly, as Paul points out, none of us can ever boast before God, but we can certainly boast of His love and grace active in our lives!
1 Cor 1: 26-31/ Ps 32(33): 12-13. 18-19. 20-21/ Mt 25: 14-30
From today’s readings: “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.... Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own.... Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more!”
Boasting in the Lord
Although aware of our own failings, most of us have occasions of pride in certain abilities and accomplishments. Inordinate pride is sinful, of course, but there’s nothing wrong with pride that recognizes the creative gifts of God and His grace which has helped us develop those gifts.
“All that you are is God’s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God.” This adage successfully preserves humility while also encouraging self-disciple and initiative. All that is good in us is primarily attributable to God, who created us and provided the “raw material” for growth in goodness, as well as His grace to inspire and direct our efforts - this is His gift to us. Nonetheless, God has given us the dignity of cooperating in His creation, since we have a very real choice and role in either aiding or undermining His actions in our lives - this is our gift to Him.
So truly, as Paul points out, none of us can ever boast before God, but we can certainly boast of His love and grace active in our lives!
posted by FrPitstick | 8/27/2008
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