Humiliate | Humiliet

"My God may humiliate me" — 2 Corinthians 12:21.

Paul the Apostle knew how to humble himself before God. After his conversion, he was willing to be brought low for the sake of the Gospel, no longer wanting to be proud and selfish as he was when he persecuted Christians. Consequently, Paul frequently writes about humility as a foundational virtue of the Christian life. In his letter to the Philippians, he encourages followers of Christ to do everything in humility and to count others as more significant than themselves (cf. Phil 2:3).

For Paul, human weakness is the canvas for God’s power. Understanding that God’s grace is sufficient for him, he does not fear his own imperfections. On the contrary, he is content with his weaknesses and difficulties, knowing that when he is weak, then he is strong with the power of God. As a humble person, Paul strives to put on a "compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (cf. Col 3:12), always remembering that the Lord forgave his many mistakes. He was given the grace not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think (cf. Rom 12:3). Thanks to the virtue of humility, he saw himself exactly as God saw him. As Pope Benedict XVI beautifully noted: “Humility is not a virtue of the weak but of the strong, of those who do not need to mistreat others to feel important. Humility is the truth of life, the awareness of our smallness before the grandeur of God, which opens us up to love” (General Audience, 2005).

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 12:21  by Jozef.

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My grace is sufficient | Sufficit tibi gratia

"But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" — 2 Corinthians 12:9.

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In this second Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 12:7, the apostle Paul tells us about a “thorn in the flesh,” a persistent struggle that caused him pain. The exact nature of this ''thorn'' is unsure although many have speculated about it for centuries. It could have been physical, emotional or spiritual. No one wants to live with persistent pain or struggle. Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove it, but God answered differently than Paul expected: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This passage reminds us that God does not always remove our struggles and pains. However, He always provides the strength to endure them. We often want answers without waiting too long. Yet God uses pain and struggle to deepen our faith.

The apostle Paul had to continue on this missions. Learning that this ''thorn'' should not be a barrier or hinder him to serve the Lord. That is why he could say, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” True strength is reliance on our Lord Jesus Christ.

Each of us carry our own “thorn” in life:  a burden, disappointment, illness, fears and anxieties etc. Paul's example encourages us to continue on our daily walk. God’s grace is enough for every day, no matter how difficult it might be.

So today and every day, let us trust that His grace is sufficient and that His power is still at work in us. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 12:1–10  by Hanne

Boast | Gloriari

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” – 2 Cor 11:30

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus,  in today’s Bible passage we hear the suffering of Paul as an apostle of Jesus. Paul as an apostle always gave glory to Jesus in his life. As an apostle of Jesus oftentimes he had to pay heavy prices, had to undergo persecutions both spiritual and physical. He was beaten many times, imprisoned many times, flogged and stoned many times. Paul underwent all through this due to the love for Jesus. Paul was united with the risen Christ. Paul was able to read the mind of Jesus and what Jesus wanted him to do for the church. Paul was anxious about the growth of the early Christian communities.

Paul says that he will boast about the weakness of himself so that he can magnify the power of Christ. We are able to read in the letter to the Galatians 6:14 – “May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” The intention of Paul is very clear, he wants to glorify God.

Dear friends in Christ Jesus, let us also try to glorify God through our lives. With pure intention through small actions of love coming out of love for Jesus we could glorify Jesus. Like Paul let us also be united with Christ knowing his will and able to read his mind. 

May God almighty me glorified forever and ever. Amen.

Bible Reflection on 2 Corinthians 11: 16-33 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

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