Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator
I find it difficult to imagine how anyone could get a "big head" as a disciple of Jesus after reading the passage from the 1st Letter to the Corinthians that forms the first reading for today's liturgy. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. (1 Corinthians 1: 27-29) In other words, if you think of yourself as one of God's chosen ones, you must also admit that you are one who the world considers foolish, weak, lowly, and as counting for nothing.
Boasting is an ordinary and common human activity. Every one of us, including me, likes to spend a little time in the spot light. A healthy sense of self-worth is a necessary part of the human psyche. At the same time, who among us has not found exaggerated boasting on the part of others just a little noisome? It is not a well-thought of character trait.
At the same time, St. Paul's thoughts regarding God's action through us is a source of encouragement for anyone who carries the cross of chronic illness and/or disability. Physical weakness is not an obstacle for God. CUSANS can be and are instruments which God uses to confound the world. No wonder St. Paul found reason to boast about his weakness!