Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 361

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God,
who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant,
not of letter but of spirit;
for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

Paul, a self-described, "vessel of clay," knew all too well the limits of his virtue and ability. Though he gave himself mightily in the service of the Gospel, he often ran up against his shortcomings. As does every servant of the Lord. We suffer the daily shortcomings of our physical strength and spiritual willingness to speak, do, and live the Gospel. 

And yet he speaks of the "confidence we have through Christ in God." Father Eugene, teaching mathematics to freshman boys in the seminary, often grumbled, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." If he knew his limited skill and patience as a teacher, he directed his criticism at our distracted adolescence. But we did learn simple algebra and by the following September were ready for geometry. 

Not many preachers have read every word of Scripture, fewer can recite them. Only some Catholic scholars have a thorough knowledge of the Magisterium, with its teachings about doctrine, morality, the saints and martyrs, the sacraments, and their history. In this age when every doctor of every discipline is overwhelmed with information, no one can claim to command their field. 

And yet, like Saint Paul, "we have confidence through Christ toward God." The Gospel is being announced and the Holy Spirit, invisibly, silently, is completing the work in the hearts of those who listen. Congregations know the shortcomings of their clergy better than they do. 

Young and newly ordained, I heard the older priests remark upon the patience and mercy of their congregations. They put up with so much! And they pray for us always. With my own high expectations of a stellar career, I could only wonder what they were talking about. As it approaches its end, I hope some good came of it.  

...Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God,

The faithful Spirit of God moving in the hearts of believers and silently, surreptitiously making things happen even in the alien worlds of politics, economics, and the environment, guides our destiny. We never lose heart, 

Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor 4:16-17)