When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
Saint Paul ruefully recalled the apparent failure of his mission to Athens. The intellectual capital of the Roman Empire laughed at his proclamation of a crucified and risen savior. It was only an idea to them; one among many; but a lot less plausible than most.
He had invested too much of himself in Athens. Perhaps he had expected a welcome among the most influential teachers and thinkers; he would make a name for himself. And then he hoped to take his triumph in Athens to Rome, the political, economic, and military capital of the world. Deeply shaken, he arrived in Corinth "in weakness and fear and much trembling."
He had learned his lesson. The skills, ruses, and art of rhetoric could not arouse the people for whom the message was intended. Brilliant metaphors and subtle allusions flew right over their heads. He must speak without sparkling wit and five syllable words about a poor man who had loved and healed many, who been crucified for the trouble he caused.
He must speak as one man to other men. Where the Spirit saw opportunity, he should heal the sick, console the sorrowful, and direct the confused -- with the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and not by his own cleverness. He'd left that behind on the road someplace, and would not go back to retrieve it.
Saint Paul's failure in Athens reminds us of how the mighty have fallen, and will fall. Many politicians, preachers, and leaders of business dazzle the mob with sarcasm, snide remarks, and insults. A jaded public is entertained and want more of the same. They suppose they know how the world works; it's predictable, and they've mastered it. "We know where this is going, and we know how to get there!"
The faithful are not so clever; we know only that we must believe the Word of God, and that he has commissioned us to preach the Gospel. It speaks for itself and.calls those for whom it's intended. They recognize the call and come forward. We're often wrong about who we think must hear and answer the call. We prefer some more than others. The Word of God, as we encounter it in the Eucharist, may be consumable; but it's not for consumers.
"...to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God."
