the ultimate quality control
"Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased." —Jeremiah 18:4
God is the Potter, and we are the clay (Jer 18:6; Is 64:7). However, because we are living, free clay, we can choose not to cooperate with God. In that case, what the Potter is making turns out badly, and He will start over again (Jer 18:4). The Lord insists on quality. In fact, at the end of the world, lives of godly quality will be judged "worthwhile" (Mt 13:48) while those with useless lives of low quality will be hurled "into the fiery furnace, where they will wail and grind their teeth" (Mt 13:50).
The quality which the Lord expects in our lives is humanly impossible to attain, but the Lord will take over our lives and make sure that they are of the highest quality. We need only be like Mary and let it be done to us according to God's word (see Lk 1:38). Godly quality is a matter of His grace and our obedience. The Potter will make of each of us a masterpiece if we but accept His grace and let ourselves be cleansed of evil things (2 Tm 2:21). Therefore, give your life to Jesus, the only Way (see Jn 14:6) to quality and eternal happiness.
Prayer: Father, when fire tests the quality of my life (1 Cor 3:13), may I be approved.
Promise: "Praise the Lord, O my soul; I will praise the Lord all my life." —Ps 146:1-2
Praise: As a youngster, St. Alphonsus and his father went on retreats together. This seed bore great fruit as Alphonsus later became a bishop and a Doctor of the Church.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Obeying God on audio AV 62-3 or video V-62.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 7, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 12, 2002