St. Paul to the Americans
theophilus June 12th, 2009
As we come to the end of the Year of St. Paul, I’ve been wondering what St. Paul would write to us if he was sending an epistle to the Church in America.
While I think this question can be redundant because St. Paul’s epistles are timeless for every Catholic in every time, today’s Mass reading from 2 Corinthians 4 is especially instructive for us today.
Let’s face it, we’re going through some uncertain times; times that would have seen familiar to the people of Corinth.
Do you feel “afflicted” – from today’s reading, we learn that so did the Corinthians; so St. Paul assured them that they would not be “constrained.”
Do you feel “perplexed” – so did the Corinthians; so St. Paul assured them they should “not be driven to despair.”
Do you feel “persecuted” – so did the Corinthians; so St. Paul assured them that they would not be “abandoned.”
Do you feel “struck down” – so did the Corinthians; so St. Paul assured them that would not be “destroyed.”
While some may feel afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, all must know that we are not constrained in our afflictions, must not be driven to despair in our perplexity, are not abandoned in our persecution, and cannot be destroyed when facing supposed defeat.
As long as we keep Christ as the center of our lives and serve him as he deserves, we will overcome anything that is thrown at us. We must have faith, hope and love, while yearning for the peace and joy that is Christ’s grace to us when we truly believe in him and serve him.
I think St. Paul would tell us to stop feeling sorry for ourselves or fearful or uncertain, and to get on with the business of serving Christ in whatever way he calls us to do so. While not touchy-feely, I think his would be good advice and exactly what we need to hear.
- Catholic Joy , God's Call , Jesus , Liturgy , Saints
- Comments(0)
