“Honor and Proclaim God’s Deeds” by Melanie Rigney

“Honor and Proclaim God’s Deeds” by Melanie Rigney

Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr

“Honor and proclaim God’s deeds, and do not be slack in praising him. A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known.” (Tobit 12:6-7)

Blessed be God, who lives forever. (Tobit 13:1b)

“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:43-44)

Piety

Lord, may I praise You always—but most particularly when I privately believe You are more generous to others than to me.

Study

You see it sometimes on awards shows and at sports championships:  The winner – before thanking Mom and Dad and spouses – says, “I’d like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” And maybe you think it’s just words, just a throwaway line, gratuitous maybe even. Does Jesus really care who wins the World Series or the Best Director or Pulitzer Prize? If we’re all loved equally, is such a public statement a bit arrogant, a bit presumptuous? 

I’d rather think that in that moment of exhilaration is a moment of humility and a moment of gratitude. I’d like to think the person is thanking God not for winning right then, but for the gift of skill and talent, the gift of perseverance, the gift of help provided along the way. At times, I’d like to think that person didn’t feel like practicing or honing the craft and just wanted to go to bed or go out with friends but did it anyway because it was his or her way of contributing everything available. I’d like to think that God is pleased with that person honoring and proclaiming the Almighty’s goodness.

And I’d like to think that as I experience the small victories in my own life, the times I hold my tongue, the times I listen, the times I act lovingly in the Lord’s name to those I might in my heart find unlovable, that I too am declaring and making God’s works known, even if I don’t shout it out to the world. 

Action

Declare God’s works today, in actions and words.

 

Image credit is Image by AccLC from Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/winner-medal-gold-award-success-1548239/