Week Beginning January 28, 2024
To Accomplish Great Things
When we think about doing great things for God, it is important to dream big and to imagine what can be achieved outside of our worldly limitations. After all, “for God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Although we should certainly set our sights high for the Most High, we must not discount the potential that springs from modest origins. Saint Augustine advises: “You aspire to great things? Begin with little ones.”
In our Gospel reading last Friday, Jesus explains that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed (Mark 4:26-34). When it is first scattered, it seems tiny and insignificant. Through divine providence, it grows to surpass the magnitude of the other plants. Likewise, when the Lord calls us to do his work, we sow the seeds of those gentle prompts with our humble acts. Saint Vincent de Paul comments: “The works of God are not accomplished when we wish them, but whenever it pleases Him.” With the grace of God, the rewards we reap over time from those seeds become powerful enough to transform lives and save souls.
Even our small deeds can lead to great things when we unite them with God. One way to sanctify our routine chores is by turning them into prayers. Saint Benedict of Nursia notes that “He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.” Saint Faustina Kowalska observes: “Great love can change small things into great ones, and it is only love which lends value to our actions.” Our daily activities become labors of love when we partner with God in charitable endeavors through devoted dialogue. Saint Josemaria Escriva promises: “If you make up your mind to follow these ways of contemplation, in the midst of your ordinary work, without doing anything odd or withdrawing from the world, you will immediately feel that you are a friend of the Master, with the God-given task of opening up the divine ways of the earth to the whole of mankind.”
“For the love of God, for the love of souls, and to live up to our Christian vocation, we must give good example,” says Saint Josemaria Escriva. Character matters; quality matters. Jesus Christ is our exemplar, demonstrating that service on behalf of the Highest necessitates the highest work ethic. Saint Josemaria Escriva expounds: “Since we should behave at all times as God’s envoys, we must be very much aware that we are not serving him loyally if we leave a job unfinished; if we don’t put as much effort and self-sacrifice as others do into the fulfilment of professional commitments; if we can be called careless, unreliable, frivolous, disorganized, lazy or useless.”
Saint Teresa of Calcutta cautions us: “Never do the work carelessly because you wish to hide your gifts. Remember, that work is his. You are his co-worker. Therefore, he depends on you for that special work. Do the work with him, and the work will be done for him. The talents God has given you are not yours–they have been given to you for your use, for the glory of God. There can be no half-measures in the work.”
Saint Mary MacKillop reminds us that “No duty is too little to be done well.” According to the teaching of Jesus, “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones” (Luke 16:10). Thus, Saint Josemaria Escriva suggests that “people who neglect obligations that seem less important will hardly succeed in other obligations that pertain to the spiritual life and are undoubtedly harder to fulfil.”
Indeed, this noble work for the Lord is often met with trials. Saint Boniface helps to clarify our role: “In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course.” In addition to the obvious storms we weather, we also face tough decisions at the helm. Persistence is crucial when the cost is high or the reward is delayed. “God knows our situation,” writes C.S. Lewis. “He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them.” Saint John Bosco recommends that “If one is to do good, he must have a little courage, be ready for sacrifice, deal affably with all and never slight anybody.” He remarks: “Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart be in heaven.”
This week, consider how your challenges can become opportunities to grow in strength, to share in God’s creative power, and to build upon your success. Try to follow the words of Saint Paul: “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Your every act should be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Reflect on how you can increase the value of your undertakings by elevating them into active prayers. And don’t be afraid to plant the small seeds. When you turn lovingly to God, your good works turn into great works.
Week Beginning January 21, 2024
With Due Humility
In our secular world today, much emphasis is placed on always being right, having our way, hiding our faults, making excuses for our shortcomings, deflecting responsibility for our mistakes, denying our wrongdoings, blaming others, being overly sensitive to criticism, being jealous of others, thinking we are better than others, canceling people with different opinions, getting in the last word, flaunting our privilege, refusing to do things that are “beneath” us, hogging the spotlight, and thinking that we deserve credit for all good things. Our self-centered behavior creates an insufferable atmosphere that tends toward ingratitude, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and unhappiness. We waste our precious time showing off every minute of our lives on social media and struggling to keep up with the influencers who create better posts. Servant of God Hans Urs von Balthasar refers to this cultural phenomenon as living the Ego-Drama, leading a life where everything revolves around one’s self.
In our effort to build ourselves up, we overlook the singular thing that forms the basis for who we are and everything we do. That, of course, is humility. Saint Catherine of Siena reveals that in a mystical vision, the Lord tells her: “Do you know what you are to Me, and what I am to you, my daughter? I am He who is, you are she who is not.” Saint Louis de Blois states that “The first degree of humility is the fear of God, which we should constantly have before our eyes.” Only by recognizing our weakness in the face of God can we participate in His strength.
Pope Saint John Paul II acknowledges that humility itself is not a weakness: “Humility, however, is not identified with humiliation or resignation. It is not accompanied by faint-heartedness. On the contrary. Humility is creative submission to the power of truth and love. Humility is rejection of appearances and superficiality; it is the expression of the depth of the human spirit; it is the condition of its greatness.” Saint Faustina Kowalska writes: “The soul’s true greatness is in loving God and in humbling oneself in His presence, completely forgetting oneself and believing oneself to be nothing; because the Lord is great, but He is well-pleased only with the humble.”
Humility helps us shift away from Balthasar’s Ego-Drama toward his Theo-Drama, which is living a life properly ordered toward God. Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori conveys that with thanks for God’s gifts, “The truly humble reject all praise for themselves, and refer it all to God.” Saint Teresa of Jesus describes: “True humility consists in being content with all that God is pleased to ordain for us, believing ourselves unworthy to be called His servants.” Saint Therese of Lisieux expounds: “the humble man enjoys peace in the midst of many vexations, because his trust is in God, not in the world.”
As we attempt to execute the will of God, serve in the Kingdom of the Lord, and take on charitable endeavors, it is critical that we remain grounded while we reach for the sky. Saint Vincent de Paul remarks: “Humility and charity are the two master-chords: one, the lowest; the other, the highest; all the others are dependent on them. Therefore it is necessary, above all, to maintain ourselves in these two virtues; for observe well that the preservation of the whole edifice depends on the foundation and the roof.”
Jesus Christ provides us with the ultimate example of how to remain humble in all circumstances. Saint Clement of Rome observes: “The Lord, Christ, although he held the sceptre of greatness, did not come into the world with the trappings of arrogance or pride, although he could have done so, but rather with the spirit of humility.” Saint Leo the Great notes that “Christian wisdom does not consist in a torrent of words, or in keen disputation, or in the desire for glory and praise, but rather in true and voluntary humility, such as our Lord practiced and taught convincingly from the time of his birth until his sufferings on the Cross.”
Saint Augustine establishes: “If you ask me what is the most essential element in the teaching and morality of Jesus Christ, I would answer you: the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility.” He elaborates that “Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” He asks us: “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”
Walking along the path of loving service enables us to extend our humility, thus paving our road to eternal salvation. Saint Augustine tells us that “Only through the degrees of humility can one reach heaven. God is infinitely perfect, and pride keeps us far from Him, but through humility we are able to approach Him.” The New Testament emphasizes that humility is necessary to please God, with several passages teaching us that the humble are exalted and the exalted are humbled. Saint Benedict explains: “By that descent and ascent, we must surely understand nothing else than this, that we descend by self-exaltation and ascend by humility.”
A humble attitude opens us to growing in grace and virtue. Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori points out that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina advises: “You must always humble yourself lovingly before God and before men, because God speaks only to those who are truly humble and He enriches them with His gifts.” He reminds us that “As gifts increase in you, let your humility grow, for you must consider that everything is given to you on loan.”
Humility allows us to honestly evaluate our talent, disposition, and role in creation–which can also promote further humility. Saint Catherine of Siena attests: “From self-knowledge flows the stream of humility, which never seizes on mere report, nor takes offense at anything, but bears every insult, every loss of consolation, and every sorry, from whatever direction they may come, patiently, with joy.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta adds that “Self-knowledge puts us on our knees, and it is very necessary for love. For knowledge of God gives love, and knowledge of self gives humility.”
“You must not be discouraged or let yourself become dejected if your actions have not succeeded as perfectly as you intended. What do you expect?” asks Saint Padre Pio. “We are made of clay and not every soil yields the fruits expected by the one who tills it. But let us always humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are nothing if we lack the Divine assistance.” He also instructs us that “Our Lord loves you and loves you tenderly; and if He does not let you feel the sweetness of His love, it is to make you more humble and abject in your own eyes.”
Our failures serve as tools for improvement and occasions to turn to God. Saint Maximilian Kolbe discloses: “My beloved, may every fall, even if it is serious and habitual sin, always become for us a small step toward a higher degree of perfection. In fact, the only reason why the Immaculate permits us to fall is to cure us from our self-conceit, from our pride, to make us humble and thus make us docile to the divine graces.”
When we realize that God’s work is bigger than we are, humility prevents us from developing a savior complex. It reminds us that we are not irreplaceable and indispensable. It helps us to become strong leaders and teammates by giving us the confidence to use our gifts and the security to discern and develop the skills of others. We become respectful of authority and of those around us. We accept both the big and the small tasks that advance our mission. We look outside of ourselves and toil cheerfully and productively for the common good. As we humbly become part of the Theo-Drama, our good works become great works.
Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez praises the humble qualities of the donkey embraced by Saint David the King: “In the difficulties which are placed before me, why should I not act like a donkey? When one speaks ill of him–the donkey says nothing. When he is mistreated–he says nothing. When he is forgotten–he says nothing. When no food is given him–he says nothing. When he is made to advance–he says nothing. When he is despised–he says nothing. When he is overburdened–he says nothing. The true servant of God must do likewise, and say with David: ‘Before Thee I have become like a beast of burden.’”
This week, take some time to explore your self-knowledge. Are you living in the Ego-Drama or the Theo-Drama? What part do you play? How do you contribute? What is your disposition? Reflect on the words of Saint Augustine: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” As you face the stresses of life, do you just act like an ass, or do you behave like the humble donkey?
Week Beginning January 14, 2024
For the Kingdom
Saint Paul instructs us that our reason for being is for good works: “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Saint Peter explains that God gives us whatever we require to become His instruments on earth: “Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11). Saint Robert Bellarmine elaborates that “you have been created for the glory of God and your own eternal salvation. This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart.”
How can we best participate in these good works? For starters, we are encouraged to “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). By aligning our efforts with the Lord, we can give something back to the one who gave everything to us. Saint Bonaventure recommends that we mirror the example of Jesus Christ in our daily endeavors: “In all your deeds and words you should look upon this Jesus as your model. Do so whether you are walking or keeping silence, or speaking, whether you are alone or with others.” Saint John Eudes suggests, “Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desire, and his disposition live and reign there.”
In order to effectively follow the path of Jesus Christ, we need to examine how he handles the innumerable requests presented to him. Although Saint Paul describes the Son of God as “not ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ but ‘yes’” (2 Corinthians 1:19), there are occasions when Jesus declines some requests to deliver the greater good of other priorities. The Most Reverend George Niederauer recounts that “Jesus said ‘no’ whenever he had to do so in order to continue his lifelong ‘yes’ to his Father’s loving, saving will.” As we dedicate our service in the name of the Lord, please consider these important denials outlined by Archbishop Emeritus George Niederauer that we must make:
“We must say “no” to habits or activities or involvements which weaken our service to the Lord and his people; “no” to laziness and to ruts, as well as to spreading ourselves too thin; “no” to whatever gets in the way of our physical and emotional health–any addiction, whether to alcohol, drugs, food, leisure, work, or whatever; “no” to relationships which are so demanding that our “yes” to the Lord is compromised. In our service to people we must say “no” to being an “answer man,” to being afraid to say “I don’t know” or “I can’t right now” or “I’ll have to pray and think about that”; we need to say “no” to people who want us to tell them what they want to hear, but also we need to say “no” to ourselves, when we want to say to people whatever we feel like saying, whether it is what they need to hear or not.”
This week, reflect upon how you respond to requests. Are you able to give a loving “no” response in favor of the greater “yes”? Renowned church consultant Dr. Aubrey Malphurs observes: “When everything is a priority, nothing is and nothing gets done.” Be mindful that saying “yes” to trivial matters might mean having to say “no” to things that are important.
With regard to our daily decisions in our personal life, in our business dealings, and in all of our deeds, we should weigh our options against how Jesus would respond in light of his unwavering loyalty to his Father’s will. Now that his earthly ministry is complete, we are called to continue the mission of Jesus by participating in the Great Commission and sharing his message of salvation. Are we simply offering our good works to God, or are we doing the great work of building His Kingdom by spreading the Gospel and making “disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)? How can we conduct ourselves so that others are compelled toward conversion? Saint Catherine of Siena provides us with some insight and inspiration:
“I told you that I want you to be a lamb, a follower of the true Lamb. Now I’m telling you that I want you to be a lion, roaring loudly in holy Church, your virtue and your voice so strong that you help bring back to life the children lying dead within her. Perhaps you are asking, ‘Where can I get such a strong roaring voice?’ From the Lamb, Who in His humanity remains meek and does not cry out, but Whose divinity lends power to the Son’s cry with the voice of its immeasurable charity. And so by the strength and power of divine being and of the love that joined God with humanity, the lamb becomes a lion. From the chair of the cross He roared so loudly over the dead child, the human race, that He freed us from death and gave us life. It is from Him, then, that we will receive strength, for the love we will drink from the gentle Jesus will give us a share in the Father’s power.”
If you are ever unsure how to proceed, simply follow the advice of Proverbs 16:3: “Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
Week Beginning January 7, 2024
Guided by God
The Gospel According to Luke relays the story of two sisters that demonstrate loving hospitality to Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). Martha is an excellent hostess and a diligent servant. She places priority on executing all of her tasks. But, her excessive busyness leaves her frantic, feeling anxious and alone in her chores. Her sister Mary is also very welcoming. However, when Jesus visits, she sets aside that time for the Lord. She sits at his feet and soaks in all of the lessons he teaches. She delights in every moment with him and every word he shares. When Martha asks Jesus to tell her sister to help out, he explains to Martha that she should not worry about so many things. He reveals that only one thing is needed, and that Mary has chosen this “better part.”
Saint Bonaventure elaborates, “If you learn everything except Christ, you learn nothing. If you learn nothing except Christ, you learn everything.” Although Martha’s labor is valued and appreciated, it has the potential to stunt her spiritual development if she allows those worldly matters to dictate all of her actions.
How often do we run around on the proverbial hamster wheel like Martha, wasting our precious time by obsessing over minutia and struggling to move beyond the small stuff? How often do we race to accomplish what we feel is needed without taking a few moments to first listen to what God wills for us? How often do we rely on our earthly power to achieve our goals rather than seeking divine guidance and inspiration?
If you are like most of us, the answer is all too often. Saint Charles Borromeo advises, “We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. The prophet says: ‘I will pray, and then I will understand.’ This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work. In meditation we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in others.”
Uniting our toils with contemplative study, prayer, and reflection enables us to turn our good deeds into great deeds. When we let God lead us, we actually save time and perform more productively by staying on mission and avoiding the petty distractions that hinder our progress. With confidence that our pursuits are aligned with God, we are able to experience peace and fulfillment through our efforts and share them in love with others. Saint Josemaria Escriva notes: “When you bring order into your life your time will multiply, and then you will be able to give God more glory by working more in his service.”
Saint Peter Claver observes that “Man’s salvation and perfection consists of doing the will of God which he must have in view of all things, and at every moment of his life.” Saint John Eudes suggests: “He belongs to you, but more than that, He longs to be in you, living and ruling in you, as the head lives and rules in the body. He wants His breath to be in your breath, His heart in your heart, and His soul in your soul.”
As you embark on your duties this week, make a point to listen to God. Strive for a little less Martha and a little more Mary. For direction, try reciting this prayer from Saint Thomas Aquinas: “Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.” And keep up the good great work!
