Friday, September 17, 2021

Excusemus | Defending Ourselves

"Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? ... everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening." — 2 Cor 12: 19 (NIV) 

Photo by Papaioannou Kostas on Unsplash

In this passage, Saint Paul expressed his concern for the Corinthians. He was worried about their behavior and reactions which adhered to their personal principles which he found difficult in respecting others.  They did not even respect Paul who was responsible for them at that time.  As the person in charge, of course Paul felt pressured by the situation he was in.  However, he had to straighten out the situation, he had to express how he felt about the community, whatever the cost.  And so, in Verses 20 and 21 Saint Paul expressed his heart clearly to them.

Living in today’s world, whether we are given the task of being in charge or even any other tasks, in the course of time each of us is going to encounter various difficulties, obstacles and challenges, both from friends, others and even from ourselves.  Facing such a complicated problem, will there be a solution if we just sit back and wait for a change?  Of course, not.  Like Saint Paul, we must have the courage to express what we feel.  Whether it’s anger, disappointment, sadness, hurt or satisfaction, happiness or any other feelings, we should express them so that our friends especially those who are working with us can understand the situation we are struggling with.

Through Saint Paul, Jesus is telling us that our struggles as Christians are quite difficult.  Intense communication with God and others will greatly help us continue the pilgrimage of a more fruitful life in developing God’s kingdom in this world. May God give us peace.



Reflection on 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 by Sr. Yanti Purnawati SFSC

(Listen to the Podcast here)

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