WHEN GOD DOESN’T “FIX” US
(Wednesday, July 12)
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor 12:7-9)
Have you ever asked God to remove one of your more persistent ailments, either physical or spiritual? As those of us on the Older Calendar celebrate the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul today, I’m reminded that even St. Paul did that, but was told two seemingly incompatible things: 1. that he will continue to receive and manifest God’s grace and strength; and 2. that he will continue to live with this infirmity, “a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan.”
Even as we humbly ask God to remove our weaknesses, let us not think that these are obstacles to His grace and strength acting in and through us. Nor are the weaknesses of other people in our midst an obstacle to them being vessels of the power of Christ. From apostolic times, the Church in this world has worked through imperfect people in an imperfect world, yet full of grace and truth, received and passed on in humility. So let us take heart and not procrastinate about our salvation, if we are not “fixed” in the ways that we think we need to be. By the prayers of Your holy apostles, Savior, save us!
