The sufferings of Apostle Paul

Suffering is the test of faithfulness.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, June 23rd, 2023
Texts: 2 Corinthians 11: 18.21b-30; Psalm 34:2-7; Matthew 6:19-23 

There is one thing that Paul suffered and was not included in today’s first reading. However, it was because he could not do it himself. Only Jesus had done it. The thing is this: he was martyred for Christ's sake. Reflecting on the reading makes me ask the question: What have I suffered for Christ? Can we be sincere in answering the question? We often betray God for money, food, friendship, pleasure, shame, etc. The sufferings of Apostle Paul is noble because it is for the truth, the gospel of Christ. What we suffer for selfish interests or for committing crime is not noble.  

Three things are clear in the sufferings of Apostle Paul. The sufferings show the demonstration of God’s power. He endured those sufferings by the power of God.  The sufferings he survived proves the presence of God with him. His survival is an approval of God and His recommendation for acceptance by the people (Mark 16: 17-18; Ps. 34:19). When we suffer for truth, justice, love, etc, it does not mean that God has abandoned us; He is just demonstrating His power over evil. God finally delivered Paul from evil by death. His death is a victory over evil; he did not bow to it. 

He mentions his sufferings to affirm his faithfulness to God

Another thing is that the suffering is the demonstration of Paul’s faithfulness to God. He mentions his sufferings to affirm his faithfulness to God. The author of letter to the Hebrews writes, “Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (5:8). Suffering is the test of faithfulness. Apostle Paul passed the test. The third is that His faithfulness in suffering affirms the veracity of his gospel. Hence, his boast is not for praise of men but to gain the people for Christ; it is for the salvation of the people.  

We need to know that noble suffering like that of apostle Paul is never in vain. By such sufferings we lay up treasures in heaven. His Sufferings gained him nothing here and now but pain and injuries; his rewards await him in heaven. We are to labour like him to lay up treasures in heaven. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” 

Prayer  

God our Father, we thank You for the gift of grace to listen to Your word; may life challenges never take us away from You; help us to defeat evil by our resolve not to bow to it; be our joy in trying moment. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke