On the Shoulders of Giants

Eph 4: 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..

Throughout the centuries the ascended Christ has given gifts to His Church. These gifts are men - living, walking, breathing, imperfect men - great preachers and teachers of the Church (Eph 4:7-12). Not one of them individually nor even all of them collectively are infallible, but I am a fool if I do not stop to at least consider what insight they have to teach me.

Lord, You gave them as gifts to me in my development to become more like You. Oh, develop humility in me so I may gain insights from those who have gone before me and those You have raised up even in my own day; for in this I will see so much further than I could see by myself alone.

"We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours." - John of Salisbury, 1159.