Word to the Wise
Friday, June 18, 2021 - Friday in the 11th Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Cor 11:18, 21-30 and Matt 6:19-23]Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure. And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. [2 Corinthians]
Hmmmmm......Anybody want St. Paul's job? I was in full time itinerant preaching ministry for 10 years and I can't say I had any of his hardships! After reading the list of his experiences, the minor inconveniences that I occasionally experienced fade to embarrassing insignificance! And, after 50 years of ordained ministry, I can't really say I came even closer than a flat tire on a freeway or a piece of missing luggage from a flight!
St. Paul is responding to some preachers who were not "on message" and misrepresenting the mission of preaching the gospel. He puts his credentials on the line and dares the Corinthians to challenge them! I once saw a poster that read: "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" I don't think that would be a problem for St. Paul! Would it be one for you and me?
The gospels and the letters of the New Testament continually remind us that discipleship is not a matter of convenience and comfort. It is not the "gospel of prosperity" or "treasure" as today's gospel scripture notes: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal..." If nothing else, the pandemic has reminded us that our faith may require us to put up with masks and social distancing and live streamed liturgies with parking lot communions. For some it can mean being ostracized from family and community. The next time we feel like our faith is making inconvenient demands, maybe we can read St. Paul's list of woes and rethink our complaints! AMEN