Fragility of Our Humanity

Homily for the Feast of St. James

The passage that we read from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians on this Feast of St. James the Apostle is a reflection on the very familiar theme of human fragility and divine strength. Using a metaphor, St. Paul refers to us as “vessels of clay,” ordinary and fragile containers holding the extraordinary treasure of the Gospel. This metaphor emphasizes that the power of the Gospel belongs to God, not to us.

Using a series of words that describe human difficulties, difficulties that could seem like defeat, he describes God’s power within us as resilience. Through this resilience, we are not crushed, not in despair, not abandoned, and not struck down. Indeed, those who believe that they are the ones who defeat the human difficulties are often vanquished by them. Human difficulties are simply opportunities for God’s power to operate within us. However, we must allow God’s power to intervene on our behalf.

When we embrace God’s power, spiritual life blossoms within us, life which defeats the death that so many people carry within them. Quoting Psalm 119, Paul tells us that the faith that our spiritual life gains must not be silent. In other words, it is incumbent upon us to proclaim God’s power to the world and to live in gratitude for God’s intervention in human difficulties. Just as Jesus experienced the resurrection after suffering death on a cross, we will be filled with this new life after experiencing the many human difficulties that come because of our fragility. Just as the gifts and talents that God gives us are to be used for the sake of others, our faith is also to be used to help others endure whatever difficulties come their way. Once again, we are reminded that our human life is not about us. Each time that we gaze upon the crucifix, we are reminded that life is a gift that gives glory to God rather than to us. When we proclaim God’s power and live in gratitude, we give glory to God just as Jesus glorified the Father.

We are sustained by the gift of the Eucharist which makes it possible for us to suffer and endure along with Jesus. Our suffering consequently hastens the day when Jesus will return with salvation for people of faith.