Humbled by Greatness: the Soul of Creatureliness

Jacopo di Mino del Pellicciaio, Coronation of the Virgin (detail), (1350)

“This entire dynamic of goodness, approval, and reception of praise lies at the heart of our relationship with God. For in heaven, […] God showers us with praise. “Well done, my good and faithful servants” (Mt 25:23). “Come, O blessed of my Father” (Mt 25:34). In this heavenly experience, the blessed responds with gratitude. The saved creature graciously receives the divine accolade, expressing thanks. The humility of creature permits thanksgiving, and in giving thanks the creature reaffirms its humility. ” – Guest post by Matthew Rensch.

The Heart of Justification

Fra Angelico, The Coronation of the Virgin (1435)

St. Paul reports that when he went to Corinth to preach the Gospel, he experienced fear and trembling in the face of such a great task, the task preaching the good news of justification. Nothing less than the fate of their souls hung in the balance. In much the same spirit of trembling I write to you today, hoping to propose anew the good news of justification. Specifically, I propose for your consideration that justification, rightly understood, resonates with the desire of the human heart to be truly good and approved as such.