A revelation of Jesus Christ

“I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” - Galatians 1:12

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 In the very first chapter of the epistle to the Galatians, Paul confirms that he is not an apostle of man, but by Jesus Christ and God the father  (Gal 1:1).

In this first chapter, from verses 1:11–24, the apostle Paul is making something very clear: the gospel he preaches did not come from men, nor tradition or rabbis. It came from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.  This is crucial because in Galatia, people were trying to change the gospel by adding rules and external requirements. Paul confronts this and confirms that the gospel was revealed by Jesus Christ. No human intervention is needed.

Furthermore, Paul warns the Galatians not to receive or listen to any other gospel (Gal 1:8) and also not to please men. Then Paul reminds the Galatians of who he was: a zealous persecutor of the church and deeply committed to the traditions. Paul says God “set me apart before I was born” and “called me by his grace.” This phrase is really important: before Paul's life was changed, God had already important plans for his life. 

Paul emphasizes that after the Damascus conversion, he did not immediately go to seek approval from human leaders in Jerusalem. Only after three years did he meet Peter and James briefly. Even then, the point was not dependence on human authority but confirmation of what God had already done.

What important lessons can we learn from this first chapter in the Galatians epistle? Firstly, the gospel is not something we can customize, add to or change as we like. Second, God’s grace is stronger than our background history. God’s calling reaches into places we would consider impossible.

Galatians 1:11–24 is such an important reminder how God transforms and turns around lives completely. Only God could take someone who was once a violent opponent of the early Christian faith and turn that person into a faithful witness.

Reflection on Galatians 1:11-24 by Hanne

 

 

The truth of the Gospel

But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us— we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you - Galations 2:4-5

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Reflecting on the pastoral writing of St. Paul to the young church in Galatia, especially in verse 4-5, where he highlighted the dangers of false believers, who slipped into the church to spy on them, and reminded the young believers the importance of submitting only to one and only true gospel. The gospel of Christ’s immaculate conception, through a virgin birth (prophesied many centuries before), His ministry of healing and deliverance, His arrest, cruel death by crucifixion and glorious ascension into heaven. He who is awaiting to receive us, those who are faithful to this gospel of truth till our very last breath, that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

My prayer for all of us, including myself, is that we will each hold firm to the One True teaching of Jesus Christ and not be swayed by many false teachers who have come since then. As our Lord sent out the Twelve with these instructions: “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves…” (Mat 10:16) 

I’ll close my short reflection with this beautiful hymn by CityAlight Worship:

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me 

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 

Chorus 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 

Chorus 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's sure, the price it has been paid 

For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave 

Chorus 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" 

Yet 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 

Final Chorus 

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" 

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" 

Ending 

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

Songwriters: Michael Farren, Rich Thompson, Jonny Robinson. For non-commercial use only. 

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/zundjUFazfg?si=HFj8OczDYCFyp0KQ

Reflection on Galatians 2:1-10 by Chris Tan

God of love and peace

“Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” – 2 Corinthians 13:11

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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, in today's Bible reflection we hear the appeal made by Paul to the Corinthian Christian community.  Paul is encouraging the people to live in faith and to examine themselves. He is warning them that God is powerful and he won’t be lenient in dealing with their sins. Paul wants the community to be strong and follow the truth. Paul is also encouraging them with his final greetings and assuring his prayers for them.

As we all know it is so important for each Christian, the community that he or she belongs to. The apostles tried their level best to build up the Christian communities in union and in faith. They loved each other, helped each other, shared with each other and lived in peace. Even though it is not an easy task with the grace of God they could do this. The Holy Spirit guides the Christian community in the best way possible.

Dear friends in Jesus, let us also take the appeal of Paul to our hearts. Whichever place or community we belong to, let us try to live in love and peace. Let us encourage each other to follow Jesus in faith. As Christians we are called to be servants for each other. Our master Jesus is the truth that we follow and in him alone we put our trust. May the Holy Spirit guide us in the true path. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 13:1-13 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

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.

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