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From the game-winning score to the top of the corporate ladder, we love it when we're praised for our achievements. On the flip-side, it's not so great to have to be reprimanded for mistakes. But, if we think on it logically, does praise make the achievement greater than if no one acknowledged it? If so, what's really important—the accomplishment or the opinion of people? Likewise, if we think back to the times we've had to take the proverbial lumps for our mistakes, did the dressing down make us less of a person? As we've been discovering this week, peace comes in the balance. Our happiness and self-worth comes neither from the praise or the rebuke of others. We can hitch our worth to the One, the Only, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God.

Let's pray: From the desire of being praised and the fear of suffering rebuke, deliver me, Jesus. Amen!

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves." (Mt 11:29)