Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
—2 Corinthians 12:7–9
Paul writes that he had a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming too elated or too conceited. God allowed the wound to keep Paul humble, and while Paul begged God to remove this “thorn,” God did not so that Paul would come to rely upon grace.
God allows thorns in our lives too so that we will learn to rely upon his power and grace. When we rely on God’s grace completely, we see his power and might, which far exceeds our abilities to handle difficult situations on our own.
Where does God want you to lean into his grace and power? Ask God to help you to see your problems as an opportunity to receive his power.
This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.
Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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