“My grace is sufficient for you.”  Those beautiful words of St. Paul found in our second reading this weekend is an important reminder to us of God’s enduring love.  We do not have to be perfect to earn God’s love.  God’s love is freely given.  It is in our weaknesses and in our imperfections that we most experience God’s saving grace and embracing love.
 
In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of having “a thorn in the flesh” that tormented him.  Biblical scholars have debated what that thorn may have been, but their conclusions are simply speculations.  We do not need to know what “thorn” tormented St. Paul, as each one of us has our own unique “thorn” with which we struggle.  Our imperfections can keep us humble and help us understand the need for God’s love in our lives.
 
Like St. Paul, when we rise above obstacles we face in life, we can do some pretty amazing things.  The “thorn” of which St. Paul spoke did not stop him from trusting in God’s goodness and keep him from spreading the faith.  Despite how hard he prayed that God would remove his “thorn”, St. Paul continued to walk forward each and every day knowing he was loved.   Each one of us has the opportunity to not only live our faith to the best of our abilities, but also to help others rise above with our encouragement and love. 
 
When you feel discouraged or face obstacles in life, remember the beautiful words of St. Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
 
May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forever more.
 
Fr. Harry