Sinner's Story - It Could Be Worse

In a moment of levity, I dashed off the following ditty:

Peter thrice denied the lord; Zacchaeus was a cheat; And then there was the prostitute who wept at Jesus' feet.

Simon was an anarchist, Matthew plundered taxes; The 'sons of thunder,' James and John, were angry battle-axes.

Paul, a rabid terrorist, and Dismas was a thief; Magdalene was demon-filled, and Thomas lacked belief.

But there they are in heaven, smiling down upon us now; Each wears a brilliant halo tilted on a battered brow.

So things for us are looking up, in this salvation business --- No matter what our "was-ness" was, what truly counts is "is-ness."

Somehow it’s consoling to know that Jesus began his ministry by shepherding a ragtag flock of black sheep to work with him. “My power,” the Lord revealed to Paul, “is made perfect in weakness” –to which Paul reacted, “For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses…for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:9-10). In that paradox he saw the source of power of many Old Testament heroes, whose weaknesses were turned to strengths (see Hebrews 11:34).

It is consoling to know that when we are discouraged and overwhelmed by our own spiritual weakness and ineptitude, God isn’t discouraged with us. It is then that we should say, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13).

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net