Memorial of Saint Monica

On the Ferris Wheel
eye-level with Old Glory

Lectionary: 426

Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated, as you know, in Philippi, we drew courage through our God to speak to you the Gospel of God with much struggle. Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception. But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, that is how we speak,
not as trying to please men, but rather God, who judges our hearts.

“When I was young” the old man said, “I worried about what people thought of me. But when I grew older I decided I don’t care what people think about me. Today, in my old age, I realize people don’t think about me at all.”

In today’s reading from his first letter to the Thessalonians, I see Saint Paul surviving and growing through a similar experience. He recalls how he suffered and was “insolently treated” in Philippi.

Most people like to be liked. They suffer some disappointment when they encounter misunderstanding, suspicion and animosity. Saint Paul worked especially hard to be “all things to all men.”

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law—though I am not outside God’s law but within the law of Christ—to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. (I Corinthians 9:19-23)

The worse thing a missionary can do is let his own failings, prejudices and unconscious desires get in the way of the gospel. After his shabby treatment at Philippi he examined his conscience closely and realized, 

“Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception.” 

His conscience was clear. He could not claim worthiness for himself but he knew that “we were judged worthy by God” to bring the Gospel to others.

Saint Paul, throughout his career, demonstrates wonderful persistence. He he must announce the gospel. He might be occasionally disappointed by his own shortcomings, but he cannot and will not quit. He is a self-described vessel of clay, but even a broken pot holds some water.

The egotist thinks he is empowered to announce the gospel and everyone should listen to him. Discovering his shortcomings he quits and goes home. Perhaps he blames himself; perhaps he blames others. In either case he does not not meet the success he expects, so he quits.

Missionaries, bound by obedience and love, set ambitions aside. They will be occasionally mortified by their own shortcomings. They will discover time and again that the people to whom they preach the gospel are more generous, more courageous and more devout than they are. If there was any trace of ego when they entered the ministry it will be found out and and burned out by the word that cuts like a two-edged sword. Freed of ego, they will pass easily into history.