Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
If the Lord humbly suffered the contempt of others as he suffered and died, is there some reason I should not be humiliated?
Would I not stand with my brother, sister, father, or mother if they were publicly shamed or humiliated? I think anyone who knows the meaning of family understands the obligations that come with belonging to a family. I might not like or approve of what they've done, but I would certainly not turn my back on them.
When Saint Paul complained to the Lord that he was suffering an intractable hurt -- apparently the persistent humiliation of being contradicted by equally certified Christian missionaries -- he prayed for relief. These loud, irritating, and rude impostors appeared everywhere he went, and often confused the new Christians he'd recently baptized. Their doctrines were ludicrous, but announced with such sincerity that the gullible neophytes believed them. Our Apostle was mortified by their persistence and their profiteering, and begged God for relief.
“My grace is sufficient for you,for power is made perfect in weakness.”
It would appear that the missionary's particular growth in virtue is more important to the Lord than the well being of the world, the Church, and many Christians! Paul had to conclude, "'For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to counsel him?' But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2:16)
For that matter, who has not been challenged by a similar dilemma. We hear today all kinds of nonsense. Many people suppose they're thinking outside the box when they propose an attractive new idea that was recognized as heretical many centuries ago. But they argue we should Keep an Open Mind, as if that is God's first commandment to his Church.
And so we endure the insults of intelligentsia who think they have found truth in their abstracted theories and concocted facts proven by "Science" -- whoever he, she, they, or what that might be.
God is still in charge and we are not, as he reminded Peter and Paul and every faithful Christian since Jesus spoke his last words on the Cross. And we're grateful for that!
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.