July 9: The Heart of St. Paul
Where do we get out strength? If you asked Popeye the Sailor, he would tell you it is from eating Spinach. If you were to ask an Olympic athlete, he or she would tell you it is from eating their Wheaties. If you were to ask St. Paul, he would say that his strength comes from Jesus Christ. In the Second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes: “The Lord said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will all the more gladly boast of my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities, for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Paul presents his weaknesses and limitations as opportunites for God to do great things through him. He never takes all the credit for success. He realizes that success comes from the Lord and that the Lord is successful even in spite of Paul’s best efforts. Paul gives us an important lesson in life. Material success is a passing reality. What one needs to focus on is spiritual strength. If we are spiritually strong, then there is nothing that can ultimately destroy us.
Spiritual strength requires humility. We have to know our sins and weaknesses. It is only then that we can grow with God. God takes our weaknesses, fears and uncertainties and gives us the opportunity to turn them over to him, so that our weaknesses become our strengths. Our spiritual “Spinach” or “Wheaties” are found in the examples of the Saints, prayer, the reception of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. When we do great things, give God praise and thanks, for we have accomplished them with his grace. That is what the Heart of St. Paul teaches us.
Please pray for all priests and seminarians and support Sacred Heart Radio.
