Greatness

What is man that you should be mindful of him? (Psalm 8:5) 

Have you ever tried to count the stars but found the task overwhelming? Or as a student, did you gaze into a microscope and become amazed at all the activity in a single drop of pond water? We truly do live in an amazing, complex world!

The more we discover about the universe, the more insignificant one human being can seem. But don’t forget each of these amazing discoveries was made by human beings. It shows us that the intricate working of our own minds is just as astounding as the celestial or cellular choreography going on around us. It shows that as amazing as the world is, as awe inspiring as our discoveries can be, our own human capacity for growth, knowledge, and development is even more amazing.

Today’s Responsorial Psalm gives us a glimpse of who we are and what we can accomplish. The psalmist rejoices that God has made us “little less than the angels” and crowned us with “glory and honor” (Psalm 8:6). He also proclaims that God is “mindful” of us (8:5). He keeps his eye on us, not because he is looking for any misstep, but because he takes delight in us. He enjoys seeing all that we can accomplish. Now that’s expansive! 

This sounds so wonderful—too wonderful, in fact, when we consider our sins and our limitations. “How can God rejoice in me? I have too many problems; I’m nowhere near the kind of disciple I should be.” But that’s not how God sees you. He doesn’t look only at who you are right now; he also sees who you can become. He sees the person he has created you to be: kind, generous, pure, humble, and faithful. And through his Holy Spirit, he has given you the ability to overcome any obstacle you may encounter. 

Remember this truth: God always takes the long view. Remember it when you have the chance to return hostility with kindness. Remember it when you feel the impulse to invite someone to church or pay an unexpected compliment to a coworker. Remember it when you are tempted to respond with anger instead of patience. 

God has made you for great things; don’t ever be afraid to reach for them!

“Father, your majesty shines through everything you have made—even me!” 

from wau.org