Do you ever feel like you are just totally failing at life? I reflect on the time I have been a father and I feel like more days than not I am just getting by and hoping not to screw up my kids in a monumental way. For you it might be troubles you are having at work, struggles with sin, or family issues, but I think we all share thoughts at times that we are no good.
Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. In today’s first reading we hear Paul say that he is convinced that the people he is speaking with are full of goodness. We hear this narrative echoed back in Genesis when we are reminded that we are not only made as good, but very good. We are set apart from the rest of the created world as being made in the image and likeness of God.
This is one of those truths that we might know intellectually, but it is much harder to allow it to transform our hearts. We live in a fallen world and we all struggle with sin, so it is sometimes difficult to see the goodness that not only we have, but also that same goodness in others. It is much easier to use the common scapegoat of, “I am only human.”
I think the first reading reminds us that being human is not an excuse for sin. In fact, it is our very humanity, infused with the grace of God, that allows us to overcome temptation. Maybe a better way to use this phrase is, “I am only human, therefore I am called to rise above this fallen world and lean on the grace of the cross.”
Instead of using our humanity as an excuse not to excel, we can take stock in the fact that, as humans, God has given us the incredible ability to cooperate with His grace and to experience the saving power of the cross. The Catechism makes it clear that although the divine image in us may have been disfigured by the fall, nevertheless, we can be made whole through Christ. It states, “It is in Christ, ‘the image of the invisible God,’ that man has been created ‘in the image and likeness’ of the Creator. It is in Christ, Redeemer and Savior, that the divine image, disfigured in man by the first sin, has been restored to its original beauty and ennobled by the grace of God.” (CCC 1701)
We have been restored by Christ to thrive as human beings with innate dignity and worth. Let’s keep that reminder in our hearts when the days get tough, the workload becomes unmanageable, the nights bring less sleep, and the coffee intake increases exponentially. We are all in this crazy thing we call life together and we can all benefit from the realization that we are made as very good and are all here to help one another live in that reality.
From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!
¿A veces sientes que estás fracasando por completo en la vida? Reflexiono sobre el tiempo que llevo siendo padre de familia y siento que la mayoría de los días apenas voy sobreviviendo, esperando no arruinar a mis hijos de forma monumental. Para ti, puede que sean problemas laborales, luchas contra el pecado o asuntos familiares, pero creo que todos pensamos a veces que no servimos para nada.
Por supuesto, nada es más lejos de la realidad. En la primera lectura de hoy, escuchamos a Pablo decir que está convencido de que las personas con las que habla están llenas de bondad. Escuchamos este relato resonado en el Génesis cuando se nos recuerda que no solo fuimos creados tan buenos, sino muy buenos. Estamos separados del resto del mundo creado por ser hechos a imagen y semejanza de Dios.
Esta es una de esas verdades que quizá conozcamos intelectualmente, pero es mucho más difícil permitir que transforme nuestros corazones. Vivimos en un mundo caído y todos luchamos contra el pecado, por lo que a veces es difícil ver la bondad que no solo tenemos nosotros, sino también que esa misma bondad se encuentra en los demás. Es mucho más fácil usar la excusa común de: “Soy solo un ser humano”.
Creo que la primera lectura nos recuerda que ser humano no es excusa para pecar. De hecho, es nuestra propia humanidad, infundida con la gracia de Dios, la que nos permite vencer la tentación. Quizás una mejor manera de usar esta frase sería: “Soy solo un ser humano, por lo tanto, estoy llamado a elevarme por encima de este mundo caído y apoyarme en la gracia de la cruz”.
En lugar de usar nuestra humanidad como excusa para no mejorarnos, podemos reconocer que, como seres humanos, Dios nos ha dado la increíble capacidad de cooperar con su gracia y experimentar el poder salvador de la cruz. El Catecismo deja claro que, aunque la imagen divina en nosotros haya sido desfigurada por la caída, podemos ser sanados por medio de Cristo. Dice: “En Cristo, “imagen del Dios invisible” 2 , el hombre ha sido creado “a imagen y semejanza” del Creador. En Cristo, redentor y salvador, la imagen divina alterada en el hombre por el primer pecado ha sido restaurada en su belleza original y ennoblecida con la gracia de Dios” (CIC 1701).
Hemos sido restaurados por Cristo para prosperar como seres humanos con dignidad y valor innatos. Mantengamos este recordatorio en nuestros corazones cuando los días se tornen difíciles, la carga de trabajo se vuelva inmanejable, dormimos mucho menos en las noches y el consumo de café aumente enormemente. Todos estamos en esta locura que llamamos vida juntos y todos podemos beneficiarnos al comprender que fuimos creados para ser muy buenos y que todos estamos aquí para ayudarnos mutuamente a vivir en esa realidad.
De parte de todos nosotros aquí en la Diócesis, ¡Dios los bendiga!
Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”
Feature Image Credit: Magnus Enckell, https://art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/adam-and-eve-18084/
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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