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Reflections on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts, be ever acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord our strength and our redeemer.
Amen
A few weeks ago, I got a text message that is becoming suspiciously frequent for me. It was a call for a switch in service leaders due to the assigned person’s unexpectedly needing to be away. One of the duties of Verger is to step up when an assigned service participant becomes unavailable. So as in previous cases, I stepped up.
Then I read the lectionary assigned readings for this Sunday. My heart sank. Episcopalian rules said I was supposed to make a sermon based on these readings? The ones we all just heard? Then I realized this sinking feeling was familiar, that I’d had it on previous occasions when I’d volunteered to fill in. So I began wondering if C. S. Lewis was right, and Screwtape was setting me up for the really tough ones. More than once I’ve been told, ‘I’m glad you had that one and not me.’ by others of our Service Leaders. In the past, I always seemed to be able to come up with something, but this time I was drawing a blank.
The Old Testament lesson speaks of David taking over as King, and the Psalm, perhaps written by David himself, speaks in glowing terms of that event. Pretty straight forward, but nothing to expound upon.
The Gospel is also pretty straight forward. Jesus comes to his home town to preach and heal and the locals don’t believe Him. Again nothing jumped in my soul, saying here is what you need to know about this. And I sure didn’t see a way to tie it to the Old Testament Lesson.
Then there’s the New Testament reading, part of Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Wow. I’m going to read it again in case your mind got to wandering the first time through which wouldn’t surprise me in the least.
Here are Paul’s words.
“I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”
What on earth was this all about? I read through it several times. Couldn’t make heads nor tails out of it. But it definitely caught my interest. So I went and dug out my New Bible Commentary. In fairness I must tell you that this is a second edition published in 1954 and given to me by my parents when I first became a Eucharistic Minister in 1967. So the information is somewhat dated. Here’s what I got out of it about this passage
First, Paul is talking about himself, most likely his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. He explains he is not sure if he was having a vision or if the experience was in the flesh.
In those days, heaven was seen in three ways. The first heaven was where the birds flew and the clouds gathered. The second heaven was the night sky, where the moon and stars prevailed. The third heaven, also referred to as Paradise, was the home of God. There Paul received some words of wisdom that he was to keep to himself. So let’s see if we can clean this reading up a bit.
My take on Paul’s words: 14 years ago I had a vision from God. I was in Heaven and God told me things I’m not able to explain. I suppose I could brag about this, but I’m not going to because after all I’ve persecuted my fellow Christians, I’m not worthy to brag about anything. God has allowed Satan to put physical challenges in my life that I must live with. I’ve prayed on various occasions for these challenges to be lifted, but God told me his Grace was sufficient. He told me these challenges would never overcome me and prevent my work for Him. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
This interpretation got me to thinking.
There have been times in my life when I have prayed for something, and not received the answer that I was asking for. I know of others who also felt that way, the most despondent of which have turned against God in their grief and sorrow. Why do bad things happen to good people is a frequently asked question. But I have also found that God does answer my prayers, in ways that were for the best from His perspective, just not as I had expected.
So I encourage you all to keep the faith, and know in your hearts and souls that God is with you.
Amen
