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).

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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 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).

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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.

 

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 

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