20th JUNE. SATURDAY IN WEEK 11

1.2Corinthians 12:1-10

2.Matthew 6:24-34

REFLECTIONS AND MEDITATIONS

From the first reading we hear Paul admitting that he was tormented by “ a thorn in the flesh” if we try to analyse and understand what Paul meant when he said such a statement “ a thorn in the flesh?” many guess has been proposed about what he means  this statement,was it an unattractive appearance, a recurrent sickness, poor eyesight, a tendency to intemperately blunt speech? Was it an unfulfilled instinct for intimacy? All we know about that thorny in the flesh is the one that prompted Paul to turn back to God. Paul in saying  “ a thorn in the flesh?the apostle to refer simply to the distresses he had endured through the opposition he met with at Corinth; which were as painful and grievous to him as a thorn in his flesh, or his being bound to a stake; for, if he could have devoted himself to destruction, Ro 9:3, for his rebellious and unbelieving countrymen, what must he have suffered on account of an eminent Church being perverted and torn to pieces by a false teacher!  God permitted this to keep the apostle humble, and at last completely delivered the Church out of the hands and influence of this deceiver; none, not even the incestuous person, having been turned finally out of the way by the false doctrines there preached.

Moreover,  when Paul spoke “a thorn in the flesh he also meant “the false apostle at Corinth.  The apostle himself was, as he styles himself to this Church, αποστλν  ινσου χριστου ,(2Co1:1), the apostle of Jesus Christ.  The person in question is styled here ,αγγελον σαταν, the apostle or angel of Satan.  It is almost impossible to mistake the apostle's meaning and reference.  JESUS CHRIST sent Paul to proclaim his truth, and found a Church at Corinth.  SATAN, the adversary of God's truth, sent a man to preach lies at the same place, and turn the Church of God into his own synagogue; and by his teaching lies and calumnies the apostle was severely suffered.

From Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians we learn that through his weakness he discovered a source of strength far greater than any of his natural gifts and talents. It is the same invitation given to us also that whenever we fall, it is when we become strong, but that is possible when we humble ourselves to accept our weaknesses like Paul and ask our heavenly father to grant us His spirit in order that we may be strengthened in our ministries and missions as well. Paul having discovered his frailties he dedicated his total dependence on God as vividly expressed in very Jesus’ words,  “ Don’t worry about tomorrow. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need.” ( Mt 6:25-34).

From the gospel reading Jesus is challenging us all with a question that “ who is master of our lives?” “Jesus is telling us that no one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other.” ( Mt6:24). We can ask ourselves again this question that “ who is the master of our lives/ who is the master of my life/who is the master of your life? The answer to these questions is very clear that whatever governs our real self, our ideals, our thoughts ( ways of thinking and reasoning), our will and desires, like love of money, prestige, possessions, wealthy and fame all of these can be said to one’s master if misused. There is one master who is the source and strength of all those things mentioned above, our master we can rely is our Lord Jesus Christ.We are all invited to put our hope in Jesus Christ for through whom we become strong, and through whom we get our daily spiritual and material bread. Material things are just temporal but spiritual bread we receive daily is the eternal. Jesus warns his disciples to put away anxiety and worldly preoccupations simply because they are all temporal, as in the gospel we are told that if God cares for birds of the air and other creatures, what about us human beings created in His image and likeness? We are all invited to rely and believe in the divine providence. We are always urged to avoid being anxious for this feeling robs us away a gift of constant trust in our heavenly Father for His daily guidance and providence on whatever we ask Him. It is the call to each one of us to trust on God’s mercy and love that when we pray He hears our prayers.