Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs (Optional Memorial)
Someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. (John 21:18)
Many of us go through life with a disability of some sort—or we are close to someone who does. For those of us in this group, the phrase “someone else will dress you” holds a special significance. Again, our brothers and sisters with disabilities can relate in a special way when Jesus tells Peter, “You will stretch out your hands” (John 21:18). They often experience being stretched to the limit, physically or emotionally. To borrow Jesus’ words, they may even feel that they are being led where they do not want—or expect—to go.
Here’s the good news. Today’s Gospel reading assures us that even disability and limitation can bring glory to God. How can this be? We might think God is glorified only if we are perfectly whole or if we experience miraculous healing. But the truth is that everyone can glorify the Lord.
Think of the man who has lost his legs and yet maintains a joyful heart as he continues to develop himself in other ways. Or think of the little girl with Down syndrome who reflects the innocence and affection God wants for all of us. She’s mirroring heavenly life. A mother tirelessly advocating for her autistic child shows heroic perseverance and fortitude. All of these people are precious to the Lord. They all reflect his glory.
In the end, it’s the way we live with our disabilities that glorifies God. Look at St. Paul: he spoke about his “thorn in the flesh” and asked God to take it away (2 Corinthians 12:7). But he came to understand that God’s power is “made perfect in weakness” (12:9). His struggle helped him go beyond trying to get rid of his difficulty and focus on serving the Lord instead.
God can be revealed in our weaknesses and struggles, whoever we are. With God’s grace we can learn to love and praise Jesus through our disabilities. We can grow to trust him in the face of trials or limitations. Then, like Paul, we will be focusing not on what we can’t do, but on what God can do in us.
“Jesus, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Acts 25:13-21
Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20
Daily Marriage Tip for June 2, 2017:
“Grandparents enrich the life of their families. They should be cherished, not merely tolerated.” (Follow the Way of Love) What have you learned about marriage from an older family member?