Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
What do you do when you’ve appeared to fail? “After we had suffered and been insolently treated, in Phillipi,” writes Paul, “we drew courage through our God to speak to you the Gospel of God with much struggle.” This is an unusual reaction.
Most of the time when we are humiliated when we fail in the face of habitual sin we have tried to overcome, but we don’t usually redouble our efforts. Our basic two reactions are to either beat ourselves up or to indulge ourselves. Both are wrong as they turn the focus back on ourselves instead of turning to God.
Acts 14 describe how St. Paul was humiliated, stoned, and dragged out of the city of Lystra to be left for dead. Pretty intense! As Paul survived even this, no one would look at him sideways to cut his losses. However, he got up and went back into the town to preach!
When we are humbled, it might provide greater reliance on grace bringing about a greater end for Christ. Dejection is all the devil needs to take us from the good path. Take sin seriously, don’t take yourself seriously, and follow after Jesus once more.
Reflection by Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections