Today’s first reading is a stunning recital of the sufferings of St. Paul for the sake of the Gospel. Facts we easily forget as we follow Christ comfortably today in North America – not only with all the privileges of religious freedom and civil liberty but living lives of plenty – large homes containing tables laden with food and overflowing closets. In these times of relative personal peace and prosperity, we might be tempted to believe that we are already in the promised land. Let us take a second look at what Paul suffered that we, 2000 years later, might experience the privilege of knowing Christ as Savior and Lord.
Five times at the hands of the Jews, I received forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure. And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led to sin, and I am not indignant?
A Sobering Reminder
Paul’s account is a sobering reminder of the work that was accomplished, and is yet to be done, for the spread of God’s kingdom. And that work will come at a personal cost to those of us who choose to put our hands to the plow – it may be through persecution, or as often happens, through the Lord’s pruning hook in our lives.
Today’s first reading and Gospel draw attention to the marks of true Christian leadership, born of a faithful love for Jesus: a willingness to endure great hardship without counting the cost (2 Cor 11:23), courage to face physical danger (v 23-26), a willingness to forego popularity both among believers and unbelievers (v 26), personal restraint and self-discipline (v 27), fasting (v 27) a detachment from personal comfort (v 27) and wealth (Matt 6:19), deep concern for the weak and fallen in the body of Christ (v 28), an openness to personal vulnerability and weakness, (v 29), contentment in the face of want and deprivation (v 30), a willingness to keep oneself pure and undefiled from the lusts of the world (Matt 6:22-23).
Strength
Jesus said, “in this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Indeed, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37).
As followers of the Messiah, our strength comes from the fact that we do not fight a single battle alone. (2 Chr 20:15). He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
Brethren do be afraid to put out into the deep. The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
