Bestowing Blessings

A quote from Catherine McAuley:


God doesn't bestow all his choice blessings on one person.
Jesus did not give Peter what he gave to Paul
nor to either what he gave to John.

At the beginning of a school year, especially when teaching middle grades I make it very clear that I do not treat my students equally. With that there are many groans and complaints. I know they are coming, they always do.

After letting the students vent a bit, I share my philosophy. To treat everyone equally means there would be no exceptions. If we take a test and the student is absent, then the student gets 0% for that day.

Of course the first thing they would say is , "That's not fair!" I reply that of course it's not fair, but it's equal. Then it dawns on them that there might be a difference. One of the first lessons of life that they have already experienced, but have never named.

We go on to look at several examples of equal vs. fairness. They see it in their families. If it were equal, all children would go to bed at 8 PM, not just the four year old. And so forth...

God doesn't treat us equally. God treats us fairly. What gifts we have are given for the good of all, but used by some better than others. We are all part of the one body, but all of us is not the eye...

God has given you a choice blessing. It is up to you to figure it out and use it for the honor and glory of God, not hide it, not begrudge someone else their blessing or gift.

This last weekend I was at a discernment weekend for leadership. All those present were called to leadership, but not all will have the choice blessing of being the leaders. Out of the 48 there, only 6 can be elected. Some will drop out, knowing that their call to leadership is not the call necessary for this particular leadership...not that they are not able, but they are not called in this way.

So what choice blessings are you given? What is your gift to share? Where is God calling you? Some things to ponder today.

www.sistersofmercy.org