October 11, 2024

Q: Why does God create us unequal? It has been a dream of mine to stand as a defender of the Catholic faith when I am older, as the great theologians of the Church did, and yet I feel hindered by my average level of intellect. At times it feels unfair that those who have high IQs do not do anything productive or useful; they simply waste their God-given abilities, and those with average IQs have impossible goals with regards to the little intelligence they’ve been given, such as me. So, why is there a disparity, pertaining to the intelligence, when surely God ought to give each person resources proportionate to what he is ordained to do? And how can I reconcile my ambitions and resources? — D.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It’s great that you want to be a defender of the Catholic faith. That shows your heart is in the right place.

Your questions touch on a few core issues that are worth noting.

First, God never calls us to do the impossible. If he gives us a mission – whether it’s to be a priest, a soldier or a parent raising a big family – he will give us the grace we need to carry it out.

We must be open to receiving that grace, however. That includes doing our part.

A priest needs to keep up with studies and an intense prayer life. A soldier needs to stay physically fit and to train and know how to use the equipment entrusted to him. A parent needs to support his children and guide them well.

In many ways the mission that God gives someone is beyond a person’s natural ability. That is where God’s special graces can make up the difference.

A separate case is when God gives someone the grace to do things and the person doesn’t do them or does them poorly.

The gifts of God come with a string attached. For Jesus warned, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more” (Luke 12:48).

Then there is another kind of case: Where our personal ambitions might not be in line with either God’s plan or with the natural state that we find ourselves in.

A nearsighted person with a fear of deep water might dream of being a Navy fighter pilot, but his reach is clearly beyond his grasp. This isn’t to say he has no talent for anything; he simply needs to look for another path in life.

While God does give different gifts and various levels of talent to people, he also has a suitable plan for each person. Some of those plans will surprise us.

Let’s go back to your personal interest. Some of the best theology is done on one’s knees. Prayer is a key to good theology, since it deals directly with God and what he has revealed. More than just an intellectual task, theology involves a deep relationship with the Almighty.

Some of the Doctors of the Church didn’t have impressive academic credentials—think of Catherine of Siena and Thérèse of Lisieux—but their teaching was solid.

For now, cultivate a deep prayer life and sacramental life. With time and the help of others, you can find the path that best suits you. Which is to say, the path that can lead you toward holiness.