The greatness of Christ can be revealed through our weakness
Reflections on the readings for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 8, 2018): EZ 2:2-5; PS 123:1-2,3-4; 2 COR 12:7-19; MK 6:1-6
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
In the second reading of the day we encounter Paul at a difficult time in His missionary travels.
He is concerned that the people of Corinth recognize his apostolic authority, not out of pride, but so that they accept his teachings. Paul needs them to understand that everything he says and does is in the service of our Lord and for the sake of spreading the gift of His salvation. Paul reveals that he has endured many sufferings during his missionary efforts and with the ultimate result that these hardships show the might of our Savior. When Paul prayed for relief from his burden, “(Jesus) said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’…Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
God must always come first. We must never see success as something we earn on our own. Strength, virtue and love come from God. If we entrust ourselves to Him, our Lord will enable us to serve Him and help His people. We will come to embrace His mercy with humility, faith and gratitude.
Suggested missionary action: Today let us think about one particular weakness that we have and put it into Christ’s hands. Since we are unable to handle it on our own, we trust Him to show us what He wants us to do.
