Affliction but overjoyed

I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.- 2 Corinthians 7:4

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Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 7:1-8, focus verse 4. St. Paul speaks of his pride and consolation at the repentance of the believers in Corinth. This bustling coastal city filled with a myriad of pagan gods and goddesses, including Poseidon (god of the sea) & Aphrodite (goddess of love & fertility). It was in such a challenging spiritual climate that the early believers came to believe in the good news preached by the apostle to the gentiles. St. Paul, echoing the joyful exclamation of the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son:  "for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:24), upon the return of his younger son. 

In this Holy Week leading up to Resurrection Sunday, let's take a moment to quiet our hearts to pray for the salvation of souls, especially among our loved ones and friends.

I'll close with this beautiful hymn that reminds us of our Heavenly Father's Love, and the Immense Price paid by Jesus at Calvary. 

How Deep the Father's Love For Us 

Verse 1 

How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure 

That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure 

How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turned His face away 

As wounds which mar the Chosen One, bring many sons to glory 

Verse 2 

Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders 

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers 

It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished 

His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished 

Verse 3 

I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom 

But I will boast in Jesus Christ; His death and resurrection 

Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer 

But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom 

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/tzQj7XvKFmA?si=2-RJxget13YHhrwC 

© 1995 Thankyou Music (PRS)(admin. worldwide by EMI CMG Publishing excluding Europe which is admin. by kingswaysongs.com)

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 7:1-8 by Chris Tan

The grace of God

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain – 2 Corinthians 6:1

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 In the second epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul speaks with urgency and honesty about what it means to live as God’s people in the real world. His message is both a warning and an encouragement: “Do not receive God’s grace in vain.”

God’s grace through salvation is His free gift of forgiveness and new life, made possible through our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, received by faith.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that to receive grace “in vain” is to never allow it to transform how we live. Paul urges us to recognize that now is the time to respond. Not when life is easier or less busy, but today.

We can look to Abraham for an example. Abraham did not simply follow the traditions he inherited. Instead, he chose obedience to God over cultural expectation. He left behind the familiar world of Ur. He left behind its customs, its way of life and stepped out into the unknown. 

Tradition and routine can become so familiar that we stop questioning whether they truly align with God’s Word. Like Abraham, we must be willing to leave behind anything that stands in the way of following God. Therefore, we must never allow habits or traditions to cause us to dismiss God’s truth.

Abraham’s journey was not comfortable. Paul’s life as a missionary was also not comfortable. In today’s passage from 2 Corinthians 6, we read about many ways how Paul suffered. Following God means breaking away from patterns, habits, or even traditions that hold us back spiritually.

There is also a vital truth we must face: we can be wrong about many things in this life and still go on living. But if we are wrong about who we are trusting for salvation, the consequences are eternal. This is not something we can afford to ignore or delay. We must ask ourselves honestly where is our trust placed?

Like Abraham and Paul, we are called to remain faithful even when the path is difficult. Be sure of where your trust truly lies. Trust God in the unknown.

 

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 6:1–10 by Hanne

 

Aroma of Christ

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing  - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

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Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 2:10-18, focus verses 14-15, and St Paul's use of the triumphal procession of Roman general after their victorious conquests, to illustrate the point that our victory is already won through Christ and in Christ alone. Also our lives should exude the fragrance of His Grace in our thoughts, words and deeds. This is only possible if I take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

Reflecting on the passage and my own struggles with venial habitual sins, I thank God for His Sacrament of Reconciliation and the countless times that I've received absolution through the actions of the priest (in persona Christi) ie. the power to forgive sins came from Christ, who had instituted this Sacrament after His glorious resurrection in John 20:22-23: When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 

I will close my short sharing with the words of this hymn, "Turn Your Eyes" by Sovereign Grace Music. My prayer is that all of us here will turn our eyes unto Jesus in moments of human weakness and fiery trials to truly exude His fragrance in our own earthly lives, to a world that is descending into godlessness and endless fears (of wars and calamities).

Verse 1 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus 

Look full in His wonderful face 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim 

In the light of His glory and grace 

Verse 2 

Turn your eyes to the hillside 

Where justice and mercy embraced 

There the Son of God gave His life for us

And our measureless debt was erased 

Chorus 

Jesus, to You we lift our eyes 

Jesus, to You we lift our eyes

Jesus, our glory and our prize 

We adore You, behold You, our Savior ever true 

Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You

Verse 3 

Turn your eyes to the morning 

And see Christ the Lion awake 

What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone 

For we carry His life in our veins

Verse 4 

Turn your eyes to the heavens

Our King will return for His own

Every knee will bow, every tongue will shout, 

'All glory to Jesus alone!'

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/UHHPbBfinXs?si=NYnQ1pnGxkJ_z-sI 

Original words (V1) and music by Helen H. Lemmel. Add. words (V2-4) by George Romanacce, Nathan Stiff, Nic Trout, and Kevin Winebarger. Chorus by George Romanacce, Nathan Stiff, Nic Trout, and Kevin Winebarger 

© 2019 Sovereign Grace Worship/ASCAP, Sovereign Grace Praise/BMI, Sovereign Grace Songs/SESAC (adm. by Integrity Music). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved.

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

Proclaim Jesus Christ

"For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake." – 2 Corinthians 4:5

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, each follower of Jesus who has encountered Him personally and lives the values He has taught is also ought to share that faith with his neighbors. This is a call for each Christians. If we have received the faith then we need to understand that it is purely God's gift and his mercy. Jesus has already paid the price for us.

As we know, it is quite challenging in this modern world to preach the gospel of Christ. Paul is encouraging all those who are involved in such ministries not to lose their hearts. He also reminds us that we are not seeking our glory by proclaiming ourselves but we are to proclaim Jesus and seek His glory.  

Paul is comparing the disciples of Jesus as clay jars which are fragile. The power does not come from us but belongs to God. He is the source. We are to be his faithful slaves who seek God's glory. Paul also reminds us that in the process of our ministry in proclaiming the gospel we will have to face afflictions and persecutions but at the same time we won't be crushed or forsaken.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in the true path. Let the life of Jesus be visible for others in and through our lives. Let our lights shine in the darkness.  Amen.

 

Bible Reflection on 2 Corinthians 4:1-9 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

New creation

''If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away.  Behold, the new has come" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

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This line of reflection invites us to live happily in the present moment while being grateful for the blessings, graces, joys, and sorrows that have occurred in the past. Our past is an inseparable part of our lives, but that doesn't mean we should dwell in it. Whatever happened in the past is a story that we cannot deny, but we must accept it with gratitude because God certainly always has a plan for us behind every event and occurrence. When we receive baptism as Christians, we become new creations, new people. We should live as new people in Christ, doing deeds of light such as goodness, joy, peace, and so on.   Our lifetime here on earth is too short for us to always grieving the past.

We are invited to fully enjoy our present life by doing good deeds.  Why do we wanted to live in darkness just because we want to enjoy life?  Maybe some of us still enjoying debauchery which is then spiced up with drunkenness, slandering and killing people with our tongues and actions, jealousy, laziness?  Actually it’s brings anxiety that will never end in our lives.  In this holy Lenten season, let us freely leave our old live and embrace our life as children of God.  Our conscience longs for a quiet life full of peace in planning the future, a life full of confidence in God's love in the present.  If we cannot accept our past, we cannot enjoy the present and also cannot focus on preparing for the future.  

Didn't Jesus allow all events to happen in our lives?  If up to now we are still "tortured" by the past, let's believe in God that everything happens with His permission.  Make peace with the past, be grateful that we are still given health and fresh breath until now.  Let's fight together to do God's will so that one day we can be happy together in the kingdom of heaven.  Amen.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

Memperhatikan Hal Yang Tidak Kelihatan

Sebab kami tidak memperhatikan yang kelihatan, melainkan yang tak kelihatan, karena yang kelihatan adalah sementara, sedangkan yang tak kelihatan adalah kekal – 2 Korintus 4: 18

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Ketika kita bercermin, kita melihat bentuk wajah kita, rambut, dan tubuh kita secara fisik. Ketika kita berjalan – jalan disore hari kita melihat pohon-pohon dan pemandangan yang kita lewati. Kita mensyukuri hal-hal indah yang kelihatan ini.

Tetapi bagaimana dengan hal yang tidak kelihatan? 2 Korinstus 5: 7 mengatakan "Sebab hidup kami ini adalah hidup karena percaya bukan karena melihat". Iman membuat kita percaya akan janji Tuhan dalam tiap langkah hidup kita, dan bagi masa depan kita. 

Saat ini mungkin kita sedang mengalami masalah kehidupan, kita melihat apa dampak masalah itu bagi kehidupan kita, bagi hubungan kita dengan sesama, bagi finansial kita atau pun bagi masa depan kita. Kita tidak tahu kemana masalah ini akan membawa kita, tetapi percaya dan Imani bahwa ada hal-hal yang tidak kelihatan yang sudah dirancang Tuhan untuk masa depan kita. 

Tidak semua hal penting dapat terlihat. Terkadang, pekerjaan terpenting dalam hidup kita terjadi di balik layar. 

Percayalah akan Kasih Karunia Allah maka kesulitan hidup kita akan diubah menjadi "Kemuliaan Kekal". Amin.

 

Refleksi dari 2 Korintus 4: 10-18 oleh Meist. 

(Dengarkan podcastnya disini)

On what is unseen

 

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" – 2 Corinthians 4:18

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Focusing on What is Unseen

When we look in the mirror, we see our face, our hair, and our physical body. When we take an afternoon walk, we see the trees and the scenery around us. We are grateful for these visible and beautiful things. But what about the unseen? 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we live by faith, not by sight." Faith enables us to believe in God's promises in every step of our lives, and for our future. 

We may be facing problems in life. We can clearly see how these affect our lives, our relationships, our finances and even our plans for the future. We may not know where these difficulties will lead us. Yet, we are called to believe and trust that God is already at work in ways we cannot see, preparing something good for our future. 

Not everything that matters can be seen. Sometimes, the most important work in our lives happens behind the scenes. Hold on to God's grace. Trust that He is able to transform our struggles into eternal glory. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 4:10-18 by Meist

From God through Christ

Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. - 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

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Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 3:1-9, focus verses 4-6 and St Paul's declaration that our confidence is from God through Christ. Here was an apostle who had every right to boast of his lineage and academic achievements. In his own words, a true blue Pharisee who had upheld the strict observances of Judaism and was schooled under one of the best Rabbi in his time (pre-encounter with Christ). A zealous Jew who vowed to wipe out the fledgling Christian believers and was a witness to the stoning of Christianity's first martyr, St Stephen. Yet after his life-changing encounter with the Risen LORD on the road to Damascus, St Paul was convicted of the shallowness of his own past achievements: For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8).

Reflecting on St Paul's writing and my own experiences, I've also come to realize that in my pre-conversion self, I too had harboured pride in my own Scripture knowledge. I often relied on my own strength and limited human reasoning to pursue my own prideful spiritual path that actually led to spiritual death (and spiritual deafness to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit). It was only after hitting rock bottom in my struggles with mental health issues and spiritual desolation, where it was difficult even to pray, that I finally understood the importance of surrendering to the perfect will of the Father. 

This painful process of the Divine Sculptor relentless hammering at the parts of my prideful character that least resembled Christ, so that I may reflect more of His Son's image to the people He has allowed into my life, went on for at least 2 decades since I first came to Christ as a child of God. This continued until one day, someone sent me a link ( The Surrender Novena: Let Jesus Take Care of Everything - Catholic Exchange)  about the life of St Don Dolindo, a contemporary of St Padre Pio, and was given the beautiful gift of the Surrender Novena. This humble prayer which reminds me of blind Bartimaeus' bold cries to Jesus along the road to Jericho: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of David, have mercy on me, a sinner". The Prayer of Surrender goes something like this: "Oh Jesus, I surrender myself to You. Take care of everything". Echoing what Jesus had prayed as He sweated Blood in Gethsemane: "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." 

I will close my short sharing with the words of this hymn "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 

Till on that cross as Jesus died 

The wrath of God was satisfied 

For ev'ry 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 

Verse 4 

Bought with the precious blood of Christ 

No guilt in life, no fear in death 

This is the pow'r of Christ in me 

From life's first cry to final breath 

Jesus commands my destiny 

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man 

Can ever pluck me from His hand 

Till He returns or calls me home 

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand 

Ending 

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man 

Can ever pluck me from His hand 

Till He returns or calls me home 

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand 

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/m_063OI38RQ?si=0u0ACeBzDW59B0pO 

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

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 3:1-9 by Chris Tan

By his Spirit | A Domini Spiritu

The Lord makes us more and more like him (2 Cor 3:18). 

Who am I? I'm a human being. My soul lives in my body. But I also have the Holy Spirit who makes me like Jesus.

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) in his most famous literary work "Pensées" ("Thoughts") wrote: "Man's greatness lies in his awareness of his own smallness." The central theme of his book is the paradox of the human condition. We are suspended between nothingness and infinity. Probably each of us experiences this reality day by day. And it was also true in the life of the Apostle Paul. He knew his misery but also the power of the Holy Spirit.

How is it in your life? Are you focused more on your weaknesses or your strengths? Are you a pessimist or optimist? Somehow it's a matter of your choice. We very often put a veil over our face. We keep living in the old way. But we are invited to live in the new way. This veil should be removed by Christ. If our hearts are covered with that veil of pessimism, we do not understand the power of the Holy Spirit. Often our minds are covered with the same veil, and we can't even move and fulfill our duties.

That's why in the Lenten Season let us replace the old way of thinking about ourselves. Let's start a new way of understanding ourselves and the history of humanity. The Holy Spirit does give life to the children of God. His grace fills us with confidence so that we can be very bold. We cannot follow those people who do not believe. We cannot focus on our misery. Our minds shouldn't be hardened but open to the Good News of the Scriptures. Let's read the Holy Bible with an open heart and mind.

May the Holy Spirit strengthen our weakness and enlighten our minds. Let's turn again to the Lord so he could heal us and take away our veil. In this way we will be changed into his glorious image. Amen.

 Reflection on 2 Corinthians 3: 10-18 by Józef Trzebuniak.

(Listen to podcast here)

Always been Yes | Est in illo

"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not ‘Yes’ and ‘No,’ but in him it has always been ‘Yes.’"- 2 Corinthians 1:19.

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The epistle of 2 Corinthians is one of the apostle Paul’s most personal and emotionally honest letters. Some Christians in Corinth preferred leaders who looked impressive, powerful and successful. The apostle Paul didn’t fit that exact description. He suffered, changed travel plans, worked with his hands, and spoke plainly. Hence the church began to wonder whether he was trustworthy or even truly sent by God. The letter of 2 Corinthians is Paul’s response. This letter is very unique because the apostle Paul talks openly about his anxiety and emotional pain, near-death experiences, disappointment with churches and even about his tears, fear, and weakness. Paul does not hide these things. Instead, Paul argues that they actually prove the truth of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 1:12).

In the first chapter of this letter, Paul reminds the church in Corinth that Jesus Christ is not an inconsistent message. Paul emphasizes that Jesus is divine, the Son of God, the Messiah. This is the foundation: whatever comes from Him is authoritative and reliable. We live in a world full of uncertainty and mixed messages, broken promises, changed plans, words that don’t hold truth. But the apostle Paul points us to a Saviour who is unchanging. Always the same. Jesus Christ is God’s Yes to sinners, Yes to the broken, Yes to reconciliation, Yes to salvation. That means our faith rests not on perfect leaders, perfect plans or perfect circumstances, but on a perfectly faithful Saviour.

The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is found in Jesus alone. As we read in the Gospel of John: John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Therefore, our Lord Jesus is God’s “Yes” to humanity’s need for salvation.

This matters because our faith is not built on sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 — “For we walk by faith, not by sight") . Every promise God has made—about grace, mercy, restoration, and hope—finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus is the living proof that God means what He says.

This Earthly life is very unstable and therefore we have to cling to this truth: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” - Hebrews 13:8. Let’s trust Him and live in the confidence of His unchanging faithfulness. 

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 1: 12-24 by Hanne

(Listen to podcast here)

Pengalaman Buruk

 

"Bahkan kami merasa, seolah-olah kami telah dijatuhi hukuman mati. Tetapi hal itu terjadi, supaya kami jangan menaruh kepercayaan pada diri kami sendiri, tetapi hanya kepada Allah yang membangkitkan orang-orang mati" - 2 Korintus 1: 9. 

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Bersyukur atas Pengalaman Buruk

Bacaan hari ini menggambarkan bagaimana Rasul Paulus bersyukur atas pengalaman buruk dan berat yang dialami. Ayat 9 menjelaskan bahwa pengalaman itu seperti dijatuhi hukuman mati. Sangat berat dirasakan. Tetapi Rasul Paulus tidak mengandalkan kekuatannya sendiri, tetapi dia berserah kepada Tuhan. 

Memang disaat kita menjalani proses yang sulit ini, ada begitu banyak tekanan dan beban yang menindih kita. Mempersalahkan diri sendiri dan orang lain atas apa yang telah terjadi, membuat kita kehilangan nafsu makan, sulit tidur, kesulitan berinteraksi dengan orang lain, dan menyebabkan stress. 

Tetapi sebagaimana Rasul Paulus, setelah melewati perjalanan yang begitu berat, Rasul Paulus mendapatkan kekuatan baru dan menghibur orang-orang yang sedang menjalani hal buruk dalam hidup mereka. Kita bisa memberikan penghiburan dan kekuatan kepada saudara-saudara kita karena kita memahami benar perjalanan yang mereka lalui, karena kita sudah melewatinya.  

Kita sebagai orang percaya dan beriman kepada Tuhan meyakini bahwa kita pasti bisa melewati pengalaman buruk ini jika kita berjalan bersama dengan Tuhan. Bahkan semua proses berat itu menjadikan kita lebih baik dari sebelumnya, dan mampu menguatkan dan menghibur saudara-saudara kita. 

Pengalaman buruk membuat kita bertumbuh, dan membuat kita tahan uji. Disaat inilah kita membuktikan iman yang kita miliki adalah iman yang sejati, sehingga ungkapan syukur akan kita sampaikan tidak hanya lewat mulut tapi lewat hati kita. 

Marilah kita selalu bersyukur dalam setiap keadaan hidup kita, diaat senang maupun sulit. Amin. 

Refleksi dari 2 Korintus 1: 1-11 oleh Meist. 

(Dengarkan podcastnya disini)

 

Not rely on ourselves | Fidentes in Deo

"Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." – 2 Corinthians 1:9

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Grateful for Bad Experiences

Today's reading describes how the Apostle Paul gave thanks even for the difficult and painful experiences he endured. Verse 9 explains that the experience felt like receiving a death sentence. It was extremely heavy and overwhelming. Yet Paul did not rely on his own strength; instead, he surrendered himself to God.

Indeed, when we go through difficult processes, there are many pressures and burdens weighing us down. Blaming ourselves or others for what has happened can cause us to lose our appetite, struggle to sleep, have difficulty interacting with others, and experience stress.

However, like the Apostle Paul, after going through such a difficult journey, he received renewed strength and was able to comfort those who were experiencing hardships in their lives. We too can offer comfort and strength to our brothers and sisters because we truly understand the journey they are going through—we have gone through it ourselves.

As believers who have faith in God, we are confident that we can overcome bad experiences if we walk with Him. In fact, every difficult process shapes us into better people and enables us to strengthen and comfort others.

Bad experiences help us grow and build endurance. It is in these moments that we prove our faith is genuine, so that our thanksgiving comes not only from our lips but from our hearts.

Let us always give thanks in every circumstance of our lives—whether in times of joy or difficulty. Amen.

 

Reflection from 2 Corinthians 1:1–11 by Meist.

(Listen to podcast here)

Many who oppose | Adversarii multi

"a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." - 1 Corinthians 16:9

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In this passage, Paul speaks of the practical realities of church life. He shows how faith translates into logistics, finances and relationships.

First, Paul provides instructions for the "collection for the Lord’s people." Paul asks the community to set aside money "on the first day of every week." That is, in a regular manner, showing that faithfulness is found in the habits, not just one-time emotional impulses.

Everyone is supposed to contribute "in keeping with their income." Helping is not about the amount, but about the heart and readiness to respond to others' needs within own means. Paul insists also on transparency, mentioning that he will send approved men to carry the gift. He teaches us that spiritual work requires also integrity and honesty in administrative tasks.

Second, in verses 5-9, Paul shares his itinerary. Here, he also admits in verse 9 that "a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." Those "many who oppose" do not discourage him. On the contrary, to him, the presence of adversaries is a sign that the works are meaningful and worth effort. Paul does not seek the path of least resistance; he is steady and firm in his goal of proclaiming the Gospel and he seeks the path of greatest impact. 

Finally, Paul calls for hospitability towards Timothy. He shows also respect to plans and opinions of Apollos, accepting his decision not to go to Corinth this time. This shows how we should treat our co-workers, being supportive where necessary and respectful of others' opinions.

Thus, this passage reminds us that our faith and devotion to Christ is shown not only in prayers and spiritual exercises but also in the details of how we treat people and how we plan and carry out our works. All of our actions should reflect our faith and point toward God who is the source of all graces and strength to carry on.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 16:1-12 by Agata Wierzbowska

(Listen to podcast here)

Firm in your faith | State in fide

“Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong” – 1 Cor 16:13.

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, in today's Bible passage we hear about Paul who is encouraging the Corinthian community with his final messages and greetings. The purpose of Paul writing letters to them is to encourage them to stand firm in faith. He says, “keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” The community which is newly formed needs continuous attention and guidance. Paul is making sure that even in his physical absence evangelization is happening.

Every member of the community of faithful is important. Paul gives recognition especially to those of his disciples who work very hard to keep up the faith of the community. It is a wholehearted service rented from the heart. Those of the new converts need more care and accompaniment. In order to strengthen the new converts they need to stay closer to the bigger faithful community.

At whichever part of the stage of faith we may be, we always need to monitor our life. Faith is a gift from God. We need to be grateful to God for it and nourish it as much as possible. There are times when our faith is shaken and we are challenged, but in all those moments we receive grace from God to cling on to him. We read in Matthew 24:13 –“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Salvation requires steadfast faith and perseverance through trials, persecution and tribulation. Let us keep alert, stand firm in our faith, be courageous and be strong. Amen.

 

Bible Reflection on 1 Cor 16: 13-24 by Fr. George Joseph SVD.

In accordance with the Scriptures | Secundum Scripturas

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve - 1 Cor 15:3-4.

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Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 15:1-9, focus verses 3-4, and St Paul's statement on what was of first importance: that Christ had died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He had truly died, was buried and raised on the 3rd Day in accordance with scriptures (with over 500 eye witness accounts). 

It greatly encourages me that the Gospel I believe in is not some fantasy nor fiction imagined in the minds of the gospel writers, but also aligns with Jewish Laws in Jesus' time on earth where credible witnessing can only be ascertained by the testimonies of 2-3 witnesses. An example from Deuteronomy 19:15 which states: "One witness shall not arise against a man for any sin or guilt that he may commit; according to two witnesses or according to three witnesses a matter shall stand." And this is why many of the apostles chose death than to deny their faith, because they believed that Jesus is the fulfilment of what they had always believed and hoped for: that a Messiah shall come from the House of David. By sharing in His death through martyrdom, they too looked forward to the resurrection glory of our LORD Jesus Christ. This includes St. Stephen, the first martyr in the New Testament, who only moments before his death by stoning, boldly declared to the angry religious crowd who simply blocked their ears and hearts to the freely given witnessing of Christ's first martyr.

In Acts 7:55-56 we read: "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

How about us, as New Testament disciples? How many of us are willing to lay down our earthly treasures, be it our jobs, family or personal commitments? All for the sake of proclaiming Jesus is LORD to a world groping around in spiritual darkness, filled with terror of death, rumours of war, pestilence. How may we too live as people of eternal hope, whose power come from Christ and Christ alone? 

I'll close my short sharing with this beautiful hymn:  "Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me" by CityAlight 

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me – CityAlight 

Verse 1 

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer 

There is no more for heaven now to give

 He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom 

My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace.

Refrain 1 

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus 

For my life is wholly bound to his 

Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine! 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me 

Verse 2

The night is dark but I am not forsaken

 For by my side, the Saviour He will stay 

I labour on in weakness and rejoicing 

For in my need, His power is displayed

Refrain 2 

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me 

Through the deepest valley He will lead 

Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome! 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me 

Verse 3 

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven 

The future sure, the price it has been paid 

For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon 

And He was raised to overthrow the grave 

Refrain 3 

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated

 Jesus now and ever is my plea

Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free! 

et not I, but through Christ in me 

Verse 4 

With every breath I long to follow Jesus

 For He has said that He will bring me home 

And day by day I know He will renew me 

Until I stand with joy before the throne 

Refrain 4 

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus

 All the glory evermore to Him 

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat: 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me! 

Tag 

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat: 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me! 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me! 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me! 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/ZOYsSKhSQbg?si=2WcfZtlZAaoy_M8U
Provided to YouTube by Absolute Label Services
Title: Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me ·
Artist: CityAlight
Published: ℗ 2018 CityAlight, exclusively distributed by Wings Music Group
CCLI: 7121852
Released on: 2018-11-11

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 15:1-9 by Chris Tan

All in Christ | Omnes in Christo

Every rule and every authority and power will pass away. But who stays with Christ has an everlasting life - 1 Cor 15:22.

Are we not alive? Of course we are. However, the Apostle Paul speaks of a deeper spiritual life in Christ. While we believe that all things are sustained through Him, not everyone yet acknowledges or understands this truth. It is a reality that defines our existence here on earth, just as it defines our hope for eternal life in heaven.

In December, we celebrated the mystery of the Nativity; soon, in the Lenten season, we will commemorate the mystery of Christ's death. As Christians, we know that life is stronger than death, yet the struggle between light and darkness, peace and war, continues. Because of this, we reaffirm our devotion to Christ and choose the path of eternal life. We seek neither to live in darkness nor to face death without Him.

Every worldly authority and power will eventually pass away, but those who remain in Christ possess everlasting life. Through Him, we are called to place all things under God’s feet, ensuring the Lord returns to the very center of our lives—above all else and everyone else.

By God’s grace, we are delivered from perpetual fear. We need seek nothing more than the gift of eternal salvation, made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through His grace, we are raised above our sins and weaknesses. Let us, therefore, remain thankful and put our full trust in the Lord. Amen.

Bible Reflection on 1 Cor 15: 20-34 by Fr. Jozef Trzebuniak SVD.

(Listen to podcast here)

Love abides | Caritas manet

And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love – 1 Cor 13:13.

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, in today’s reflection let us focus on one of the greatest attributes given to God and that is love. St. Paul is teaching the Corinthians to love one another because he has convinced himself that God is love. St. Paul encountered God's love when he had the encounter of Jesus on the way to Damascus. Since then he was carried away by the love of God. He changed life forever. Instead of persecuting the followers of Christ he helped to increase the followers of Christ.  St. Paul says that love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not arrogant or rude, rejoices in the truth, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things and love never ends.

It is not only just the experience of Paul that God is love even the other disciples of Jesus. In the first letter of John 4:16 we read “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” It is also the personal experience of each one of us as believers in Jesus. God the Father sending his Son Jesus to save the world was a great act of love. If God doesn’t love us he would not have sent Jesus for us.

Day by day all of us called to grow in God's love. We could grow in God’s love by knowing him better through reading of the Scripture. Love is always expressed in word and in deed. Even the small things that we do in our daily life with great love for God and neighbor will make us better human beings. Let us have faith in God, let us hope in God and let us abide in the love of God. Amen.

Bible Reflection on 1 Cor 13: 1-13 by Fr. George Joseph SVD.

God is among you | Deus in vobis

Truly, God is among you - 1 Corinthians 14:25

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Short sentence, yet meaningful. God affirms His presence in every situation. Verse 21 describes the stubbornness of the hearts of those who do not believe in God. God's grace works in ways that are difficult for us to grasp and understand. Speaking in different tongues/different languages, will be a sign for those who lack faith. How can a language unknown to humans be spoken in chaos, yet easily understood by believers? God's work is truly powerful, as long as we believe that God is always among us in any difficult situation. My own experiment in some difficult moments when I can't do anything, that's the time to remember God, fully surrender and believe in His strengthening presence, suddenly feel a new strength just appear in my conscience. 

Faith in God provides a way out of all kinds of life's chaos.  Just as in relationships with those we love most in this world that require mutual trust, so too God expects trust from us His people. Believing even just a little that God is powerful, that God is always there for us His people whenever and wherever, then all difficult situations could be overcome. 

Sometimes we think too far and dig into God's secrets until finally we don't find the answer and may even apostatize. Let God's secrets only be understood and believed in, not to be explored until we reach conclusions beyond our reach and then even deny the faith that has grown. Let God's spirit work on us beyond our excessive curiosity about the secrets of Divine power. God bless us.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 14: 20-40 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

(Listen to podcast here)

The Spirit | Spiritus

"So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church" - 1 Cor 14:12

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In the first half of chapter 14 of the First Letter to Corinthians, Paul affirms the Corinthians’ desire for spiritual gifts. Yet he reshapes their understanding of what those gifts are for. Spiritual gifts are never given simply for personal enrichment or private satisfaction; they are entrusted to believers for the sake of others. 

The first words of this chapter are "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts" (1 Cor 14:1). Love comes first. Before speaking about gifts, abilities, or spiritual experiences, Paul names love as the path that must guide them all.  By calls for "pursuing love" and “striving to excel in building up the church”, Paul sets the standard by which all spiritual eagerness must be judged.

These verses challenge the tendency to view spiritual growth as something we accumulate for ourselves, solely for our own sake or satisfaction. Gifts such as speaking, teaching, discernment, or leadership are not spiritual possessions to be just cumulated or enjoyed by ourselves. Rather, they are responsibilities—means by which God’s grace reaches the wider community. With them, we are to serve and strenghten others.

Paul thus calls to a spirituality shaped by love and service. What is important is not how gifted we appear, but how much our gifts help others grow in faith, find encouragement, and experience God’s presence. 

In this way, this passage invites us to reflect on our own spiritual desires. Are we pursuing growth primarily for ourselves, or are we seeking to become more capable of loving others? Paul reminds us that authentic faith and love are not inward- but outward-facing. 

We are to seek growth not just for ourselves, but so that our lives may become instruments through which God strengthens others. To pursue love is to seek gifts that help others flourish and to allow God’s grace to flow through us. 

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 14:1-19 by Agata Wierzbowska

(Listen to podcast here)

Body of Christ | Corpus Christi

“Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.” - 1 Corinthians 12:27

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The apostle Paul’s words remind us today of a very powerful truth: to belong to Christ is not just to believe in Him, but to be united with Him. This truth becomes even more important when we remember that Christ is risen and that those who belong to Him are raised with Him. Scripture tells us, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1). Because we are members of His body, Christ’s resurrection is not distant from us, it defines who we are, how we live our lives and the hope we have for our future.

A body shares one life. Christ is the head, and we are the members. The life that flows through us is the resurrection life of Jesus: a life that has conquered sin, death, and despair. The work of redemption is finished and the sacrifice of Christ is sufficient. This means that we should not live in fear or division, but in hope and unity. 

Being raised with Christ also calls us to live differently. We are no longer living by our old ways. We are called to show the life of the risen Christ in how we speak, serve, forgive, and care for one another. When the world looks at us, it should see evidence that Jesus is alive.

Let us remember who we are: the body of Christ, alive in Him and raised with Him. Let us put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as our all-sufficient Saviour.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 12: 21 - 31 by Hanne

(Listen to podcast here)