Boast in the Lord

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the Lord commends.''- 2 Corinthians 10:10-18

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Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 10:10-18, focus verse 17-18. Reflecting on St Paul's words who writes of boasting in the LORD and warning of the dangers of boasting in our own achievements. 

In a beautiful general audience on 6th March 2024, Pope Francis also gave a good catechesis on Vices & Virtues, specifically, on the vice of pride (General Audience of 6 March 2024 - Pope Francis). In that beautiful teaching, our (late) Pope warned about the dangers of human pride, and how it broke the intimacy of our first ancestors with God, when they had succumbed to the tempter’s lie, “when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God” (Gn 3:5). Even our first Pope, St. Peter had succumbed to the siren call of human ego and pride when he boasted in the Presence of our LORD, “Even if everyone forsakes you, I will not!” (cf. Mt 26:33), only to be overcome with remorse in the latter gospel accounts of Christ’s Arrest where Jesus’s prediction that he would deny the LORD 3 times before the rooster crows was ultimately fulfilled. (Luk 22:57-62) 

However, there’s hope for humanity, as Pope Francis said in the same address, that Salvation comes through humility, the true remedy for every act of pride. In the Magnificat, Mary sings of the God who by his power scatters the proud in the sick thoughts of their hearts. It is useless to steal anything from God, as the proud hope to do, because after all he wants to give us everything. This is why the apostle James, to his community wounded by infighting originating in pride, writes, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). 

St. John also wrote about God’s divine remedy for our sinful human hearts in 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Before I close this short reflection, let us also reflect on the humility of our LORD Jesus, who though being God, had humbled Himself, in human form, was obedient to our Father-in-Heaven to the point of death-even death on a cross.  

Philippians 2:3-8, NRSVCE 3 

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God that as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

May you enjoy also this short worship song, In Christ Alone, and my prayer that our boast in life ever be in Christ and Christ alone.

In Christ Alone

[Verse 1] 

In Christ alone my hope is found 

He is my light, my strength, my song 

This cornerstone, this solid ground 

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm 

What heights of love, what depths of peace 

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease 

My comforter, my all in all 

Here, in the love of Christ, I stand 

 

[Verse 2] 

In Christ alone, who took on flesh 

Fullness of God in helpless babe 

This gift of love and righteousness 

Scorned by the ones He came to save 

'Til on that cross, as Jesus died 

The wrath of God was satisfied 

For every sin, on Him, was laid 

Here, in the death of Christ, I live 

 

[Verse 3] 

There in the ground, His body lay 

Light of the world, by darkness, slain 

Then bursting forth in glorious day 

Up from the grave, He rose again 

And as He stands in victory 

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me 

For I am His and He is mine 

Bought with the precious blood of Christ 

 

[Verse 4] 

No guilt in life, no fear in death 

This is the power of Christ in me 

From life's first cry to final breath 

Jesus commands my destiny 

No power of Hell, no scheme of man 

Can ever pluck me from His hand 

'Til He returns or calls me home 

Here, in the power of Christ, I'll stand 

 

[Ending] 

No power of Hell, no scheme of man 

Can ever pluck me from His hand 

'Til He returns or calls me home 

Here, in the power of Christ, I'll stand

Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend © 2002 Thankyou Music (PRS) / Adm. worldwide at CaptiolCMGPublishing.com, excluding Europe which is adm. by IntegrityMusic.com
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/m_063OI38RQ?si=cZbNpMEv6btekIvB

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 10:10-18 by Chris Tan

 

Share abundantly

“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9: 8

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, we can confidently say that every good work comes from God. God always wants us humans to be good and have everything that we need for our wellbeing. The one who created us in his image  and likeness also makes sure that we lack nothing. God wants us to have enough of everything that includes both material and spiritual. The more blessings we get from God the more we are able to help others. God loves a cheerful giver.

Paul is encouraging the Christians to support and help each other materially. Especially the one who has more should give to the one who has less. That too he should not give under compulsion or reluctantly. The person should give from his open heart with love. Paul is convinced about the fact that the more you give the more you get back. We could read about in the letter to Philippians 4:17 –“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account.”

Dear friends, our God is able to provide us with every blessing in abundance. Let us share it also with others in doing good works. Let us be more generous just like our God. Our God never fails us.

Bible Reflection on 2 Corinthians 9: 1-9 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9

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In this focus verse, the apostle Paul reveals the heart of the gospel. Jesus Christ had everything: glory, power, and eternal riches. He is also the Creator. Yet He chose to come into our broken world. He didn’t lose His riches by accident. He laid them down intentionally and according to His Father's will.

Seven hundred years before our Saviour was born, the prophet Isaiah prophesied about our Messiah, the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). It was the Lord's will to take on all our sins; past, present and future; for all time. Once and for all.

He became “poor” in suffering, rejection, and sacrifice so that we could receive true riches: forgiveness and eternal life. This is grace! Undeserved, unearned and freely given.

Today, the question for us is: if our Lord Jesus Christ gave everything for us, how do we respond? Not out of guilt, but out of gratitude. We are called to live and love generously and give freely, because we have received so much. The apostle Paul urged the Corinthians and all future believers to live, love, and serve as Jesus did.

Let’s celebrate and remember that we are spiritually rich, not because of what we’ve done, but because of what Christ has done for us.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 8: 8-15 by Hanne