Bishop Eric Menees
This past Sunday the lectionary included one of my favorite verses, which is really a prayer of gratitude. It comes from St. Paul’s letter to his apprentice, Timothy, who would soon be the first bishop of Ephesus:
“I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has
strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service,
even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence.
But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace
of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason
I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display
the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in
him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only
God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
As a priest and bishop, what strikes me so powerfully in
this prayer is St. Paul’s honest assessment of himself and Christ’s power in
his life.
First, Jesus Christ had strengthened and judged Paul
faithful, and had appointed him to serve the Lord – even though he was a former
“blasphemer, persecutor, and man of violence.” St. Paul didn’t sugar coat his
former state of sin – these were sins worthy of being stoned to death according
to Leviticus – but Jesus’ overflowing mercy transformed rather than condemned
Paul.
Second, St. Paul succinctly states that Jesus Christ came
into the world to save sinners, and he honestly regards himself as a serious
sinner.
Third, St. Paul also recognizes that it is Christ’s mercy
that forgives our sins and transforms our lives so that we may be of service to
Jesus.
Sadly, we live in a world that denies sin and, therefore,
the need for mercy. We are told we are just perfect the way we are. We are told
that the worst thing that can happen to us is low self-esteem. However, false
self-esteem, based on a false premise (that we are good) – is what will lead us
to believe we do not need Jesus – and a life without Jesus ends in hell.
However, once we acknowledge our sinfulness, then we too can
bask in the Grace of Christ like St. Paul. As the old hymn goes – “Amazing
Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” If we have no clue of
our own wretchedness, then neither do we have a clue of God’s Amazing Grace in
our lives!
I pray you all a blessed and Grace filled week.
Catechism Questions:
334-335
334. How is covetousness especially dangerous?
Covetousness begins with discontent
in mind and spirit, and as it grows in the heart, it can lead to sins such as
idolatry, adultery, and theft. (2 Samuel 11:1-4; 1 Kings 21:1-15; Luke 12:15;
James. 1:15)
335. What should you do instead of coveting?
I should think often of the
inheritance that Jesus has prepared for me, meditate upon his care for the
birds of the air and the flowers of the field, be generous with what God has
entrusted to me, and help others to keep what is rightfully theirs. (Matthew
6:25-34; Romans 12:13; Philippians 4:8; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; 1 Peter
1:3-5)
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