My grace is sufficient

"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

(Listen to podcast here)

Sincere and pure | Simplicitas et castitas

Your thoughts may be corrupted from a sincere and pure commitment to Christ (2 Cor 11:3).

From the time of Paradise, our thoughts have been corrupted by sin. We were created with sincere and pure hearts as children of God, but after sinning we became weaker and weaker. That is why Apostle Paul, who understood this human condition so well, teaches us to be reborn in the Holy Spirit.

We were created in the image of the Holy Trinity — born into the holy love of God the Father and nurtured by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ we began to live as God's children. Yet we often forget our dignity and, as a consequence, the dignity of our sisters and brothers.

The danger is real: we sometimes receive a different spirit — not God's Spirit — and listen to a different gospel, one born of human deception rather than divine truth. This is the very deception Paul warns against. He calls us to follow his example and humble ourselves so that Christ may exalt us.

The truth of Christ reveals our capacity for holiness: we can become holy as the apostles and saints became holy, through God's grace and sanctifying power. This is our true mission. We must love God first with all our hearts, then love ourselves as God loves us, and extend that love to one another. In this way, we become authentic witnesses of Christ's righteousness and truth in the world. Through Christ and in the love of the divine Word, Amen.

Bible Reflection on 2 Corinthians 11: 1-15 by Fr. Jozef Trzebuniak SVD.

(Listen to podcast here)