Resurrection of the Lord Parish
Boast in the Lord
Reflections
What are you most proud of? What do you like to boast about? Were you top of your class in college? Do you work harder than anyone in your office? Everyone likes to have something they are the best at, or at least very good. But it really is kind of silly to base your own worth on what you accomplish. What truly makes us important is that we are loved by God. Our second reading tells how God uses the foolish, weak, or poorest people to shame those who are wise, strong, and wealthy. Why? Because God loves the poor, the weak, the disabled, the homeless just as much as God loves the important people.
And it’s not just the external qualities that are important. Some wealthy people have great love for the poor. Some of the best teachers only work with disabled children. Our Gospel on the Beatitudes today makes that clear if you listen carefully. Blessed are not just the poor, but the poor in spirit; not only the hungry, but those who hunger for righteousness. That’s what Saint Paul means when he says, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).
So how do we get to be “important” to God? Instead of asking God to make my projects a success, I can ask what God wants me to do. And for all the good that you do, remember to thank the Lord.
Tom Schmidt