One Day at a Time

A Reflection on the Second Reading for February 14th, 2021:
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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1 Corinthians
10.31 – 11.1

Brothers and sisters: Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offence to Jews or to Greeks or to the Church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

​"I try to please everyone…" Funny, for Saint Paul it’s a statement of a spiritual virtue and for me it’s a statement of a lifelong problem. Trying to please everyone has never been a struggle for me, it’s been a panacea — my chosen cure-all. Picture me sitting in a circle of women saying, "Hi, my name is Noreen, and I’m a people-pleaser." The others sharing my struggle give back an intoned greeting, "Hi Noreen." Maybe you’re in the room with us.


So what’s the difference between when Paul says it, and when I say it. I try to please everyone.


My time in the circle has shown me it’s in the why he and I were trying to please everyone. We were doing it for different reasons. It might look from the outside like we were doing the same thing — pleasing someone — but we weren’t. That's because of the part you can’t see, the part that is in God’s direct line of vision: The heart.




The Holy Spirit in Paul’s pen shows me his reasons --


“Do everything for the glory of God…”
“Not seeking my own advantage…” 
“[S]o that they may be saved.”


The Holy Spirit in my moments of quiet honesty shows me my reasons --


Do everything for a sense of value
Seeking my own safety
So that I may be seen


Paul’s focus was really on the good of the other. My focus was really on me. Result — same action, different fruit. Paul produced peace. I produced appeasement.


Maybe you noticed that I put that in the past tense for both of us. That’s because something started to shift inside me. I’m a recovering people-pleaser. And I can point to the time that the shift started. I was in a circle of people praying together. My eyes were closed and someone on the other side of the circle was praying out loud when this giant of a man standing by my side leaned down and whispered something in my ear. Something the Holy Spirit gave him to say, and it broke me — in a good way.


He whispered in the high soft voice God gave him, “He sees you.”  


To be noticed, to be regarded, to be loved by Glory. When I remember this in my bones, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of me. I can freely notice, regard, and love others for His glory. Through, and with, and in His glory.


When I remember this in my bones. I’m getting better. No promises though. One day at a time.




​Noreen Smith

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