Not as I wish

''For I fear that when I come, I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish; I fear that there may perhaps be quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.''- 2 Corinthians 12:20

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Paul’s Concern for the Corinthian Church

Reflecting on the pastoral heart of St. Paul and his fear of finding disordered behaviour within the Christian community, like quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. These actions that are contrary to the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) listed by St. Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. 

Reflecting on Paul's writing and my own life. I’ve realized that I’ve often fallen short of the mark that Christ has set for me. I frequently quoted Scriptures to inflate my ego as a seemingly devout Christian, while still entertaining impure habits & thoughts. These unholy habits had kept the power of the Holy Spirit and Christ from being fully enthroned in my heart, leading me into a deep pit of despair over my fallen human condition. 

As the popular saying goes, “Jesus is either Lord of all in your life or not Lord at all in your life.” My unredeemed heart remained clouded by its sinful nature until one day, in Adoration, I heard the still small Voice of my Father-in-Heaven whispered: “My child, how long will you keep running from me?” 

Like the prodigal son, I decided to turn back, and wholeheartedly follow Him, in the footsteps of our LORD Jesus Christ at Gethsemane, who prayed with such intensity until his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:44) 

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.

I'll close my reflection with this short acoustic version of "Your Will Be Done".  May we at all times, seek the perfect will of our Father-in-Heaven and one day hear Him say with the glint of  Fatherly pride in His Eyes, “Well done, good and faithful child!... Come and enter my kingdom.”

Your Will Be Done 

[Verse 1] 

Your will be done, my God and Father 

As in heaven, so on earth 

My heart is drawn to self-exalting 

Help me seek Your kingdom first 

[Chorus]

As Jesus walked, so I shall walk 

Held by Your same unchanging love 

Be still my soul, 

O lift your voice and pray: 

‘Father, not my will but Yours be done.’ 

[Verse 2] 

How in that Garden he persisted 

I may never fully know 

The fearful weight of true obedience 

It was held by him alone 

[Chorus]

What wondrous faith, to bear that cross! 

To bear my sin, what wondrous love! 

My hope was sure, 

When there my Saviour prayed: 

‘Father, not my will but Yours be done.’ 

[Verse 3] 

When I am lost, when I am broken 

In the night of fear and doubt 

Still I will trust in my good Father 

Yes, to one great King I bow! 

[Chorus]

As Jesus rose, so I shall rise 

In ransomed glory at the throne 

My heart restored 

With all your saints I sing: 

‘Father, not my will but Yours be done!’ 

[Verse 4]

As we go forth, our God and Father 

Lead us daily in the fight 

That all the world might see Your glory 

And Your Name be lifted high 

[Chorus]

And in this Name we overcome 

For You shall see us safely home 

Now as your church, we lift our voice and pray: 

‘Father, not my will but Yours be done!’

Words and music by Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson CCLI no. 7149566 

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/8nLXXephYRI?si=Yr71-yf0lV4FsRf1

 Reflection on 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 by Chris Tan

Humiliate | Humiliet

"My God may humiliate me" — 2 Corinthians 12:21.

Paul the Apostle knew how to humble himself before God. After his conversion, he was willing to be brought low for the sake of the Gospel, no longer wanting to be proud and selfish as he was when he persecuted Christians. Consequently, Paul frequently writes about humility as a foundational virtue of the Christian life. In his letter to the Philippians, he encourages followers of Christ to do everything in humility and to count others as more significant than themselves (cf. Phil 2:3).

For Paul, human weakness is the canvas for God’s power. Understanding that God’s grace is sufficient for him, he does not fear his own imperfections. On the contrary, he is content with his weaknesses and difficulties, knowing that when he is weak, then he is strong with the power of God. As a humble person, Paul strives to put on a "compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (cf. Col 3:12), always remembering that the Lord forgave his many mistakes. He was given the grace not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think (cf. Rom 12:3). Thanks to the virtue of humility, he saw himself exactly as God saw him. As Pope Benedict XVI beautifully noted: “Humility is not a virtue of the weak but of the strong, of those who do not need to mistreat others to feel important. Humility is the truth of life, the awareness of our smallness before the grandeur of God, which opens us up to love” (General Audience, 2005).

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 12:21  by Jozef.

(Listen to podcast here)

My grace is sufficient | Sufficit tibi gratia

"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