Some people think that the New Testament is far removed from the Old Testament, that Jesus came to do away with everything in the old law and replace it. Funny, Jesus says just the opposite. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 5, He says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
Would you agree with this statement: St. Paul was highly qualified to tackle the ministry that God gave him? I know I would. He was a highly educated Pharisee, a great speaker, confident and unafraid. Yet St. Paul himself says that isn’t so. In today’s first reading from 2 Corinthians 3, he says, “Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant.”
Have you ever heard this old expression: God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called? In a nutshell, here’s what that means. Though you may feel ill prepared or unqualified to do a certain ministry that you feel drawn to, when you are faithful to God’s call, He will give you all the tools and gifts you need to carry out your service. Maybe you’ve experienced this before. Unfortunately, we so often shy away from doing what we believe God is calling us to because of our own insecurities. We have to understand that obedience is more important than experience, and that God will often draw us out of our comfort zones to serve Him and His people. You may not be qualified yet, but when you answer the call, the qualification will come.
Father, help us to hear your call to service, and be obedient, regardless of how unqualified we feel. Use us today however you see fit. Amen.
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