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)

Boast in the Lord | Gloriatur

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).

Pexels.com

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 | Gratiarum actiones

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).

Pexels.com

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 Christ | Gratia Christi

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).

Photo by Pexels.com

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.

 

Kind of sorrow | Secundum Deum tristitia

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation - 2 Corinthians 7:10.

Photo by Pixabay.com

During the Triduum Sacrum, we followed Jesus Christ through His suffering, most especially on Good Friday. We witnessed the depth of His sacrifice for our salvation. As we meditated on the Stations of the Cross, we were taught that it was love that nailed Him to the wood; because He chose love, He remained there. His ultimate purpose was to lead us away from sin.

We might reflect now on the most painful moments of our own lives. When we experience suffering, we often struggle to understand the true value of our "cross." We ask: Why did God allow me to suffer so much? Why did this happen to me? There are scars on our hearts that we often prefer to forget.

Yet, we must ask: What is the kind of sorrow God wants me to experience?

My heavenly Father, please help me to understand the value of all suffering. Strengthen me so that I may face my trials with human dignity, just as Jesus Christ did. I desire to accept the whole story of my life. I need Your grace to support me, for I am often too weak to face these challenges alone.

I pray for the grace to repent and change my ways. As a follower of Christ, I seek to be ready for whatever You have prepared for me. I surrender my past, my present, and my future to You. I trust in Your perfect, Holy Will, knowing it leads me away from sin and toward salvation.

Help me understand that godly sorrow is a necessary part of my journey to cleanse me from sin. Open my spiritual eyes so that I may see my life as You see it - clearer and deeper. May Your Holy Spirit encourage me on my spiritual journey, especially in times of suffering.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 7:9-16 by Józef Trzebuniak.

(Listen to podcast here)

Affliction but overjoyed | Superabundo gaudio

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.

Photo by Pexels.com

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 | Gratia Dei

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

Photo by Pexels.com

 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 | Bonus Odor

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.

Photo by Pexels.com

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 | Praedicamus

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

Pexels.com

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 | Nova creatura

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

Photo by Pexels.com

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

Pexels.com

 

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 | Non videntur

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.

Photo by Pexels.com

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 | Ex Deo per Christum

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.

Photo by Pexels.com

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.

Photo by Pexels.com

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. 

Pexels.com

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)