"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me", says the Holy Apostle--because "The power of God is made perfect in weakness." Now if you are like me, you may be wondering: if this is so, why do I so seldom feel the power of God at work in my life? For I am, indeed, most painfully aware of my weakness and my failure to live according to the lofty standards set by our Lord.
But the key to this dilemma no doubt lies in what I have just said: I am painfully aware. So why the pain?....It is because my apparent humility is really a subtle form of pride. Perhaps the power of God in not made perfect in my life because I do not truly acknowledge my weakness. Or rather, I do not gracefully accept it, casting my sinful soul onto the mercy of God. Due to my overweening pride, I feel I should indeed be perfect--even apart from the grace of God.
St. Paul, on the other hand, gloried in his infirmities. Three times he entreated the Lord to remove the thorn from his side, but our Lord did not answer his prayer. Instead, he proclaimed that "My power is made perfect in weakness." The Holy Apostle declared that he was the greatest of sinners and the least of the Apostles, because he had persecuted the Church of God. Yet by the grace of God, he declared, "I am what I am." And so, if the Holy Apostle confessed his total reliance of the grace of God--should we not all strive to emulate his holy example?
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