Paul, too, refuses the lie that weakness means failure. The outer self is wasting away, yes. But the inner self can be renewed day by day. There is a weight of glory being prepared that outweighs present affliction, and the unseen things are not less real for being unseen.

Mental illness and social need often come with repetition: another day, another effort, another appointment, another phone call, another struggle to get out of bed. Renewal, then, is rarely dramatic. It is slow, holy mercy. It is the grace to begin again.

Lord, renew those who feel worn down. Give strength to take the next small step, and to receive help without shame. Teach the Church to remain steady with those whose healing is slow. And keep our eyes on Christ, who is making all things new, even when the old seems to linger.