“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he." - Matthew 11:11
I have often wondered why Mother Theresa of Calcutta would refer to herself as “a pencil in the hand of the Lord.” It seemed to me a poor image of a tool. I could understand being an instrument that God uses. What can we do without His Grace? I have no trouble seeing the Holy Spirit empowering Mother Theresa in her ministry to the poorest of the poor. But why a pencil? It seems so temporary. It can be erased so easily. A short amount of time will make a pencil mark fade. A pencil constantly needs sharping and is used up and spent so quickly. What a depressing image for the futility of working with the poor. What lasting change can you make against terrible suffering with only a pencil? And yet St Theresa of Calcutta teaches us the secret to greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven. How can I compete with the greatness of John the Baptist, of Mother Theresa, and of St. Juan Diego? And yet all of them make a choice to give God everything from their poverty. The saints are great because they nothing. The saints are holy because they are a sinner who is utterly depend on God’s never failing mercy. To be great is beyond our reach, but to be nothing in the hands of God is always possible.
Can I give God my weakness and love my neighbor from my poverty?
Lord, help me to receive all the grace you want to give me today.
Today's Reflection is by:
Fr. Justin Paskert
Did You Know...
Fr. Justin Paskert is the Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of the Rosary in Land O'Lakes.
