Our Time in the Desert
Homily for Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
This morning, we continue to read from the 11th chapter of St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.
St. Paul reluctantly engages in what he calls “foolish boasting” to make a point. Instead of boasting about power or prestige, as the “super-apostles” would have done, he flips the script—he boasts about his sufferings, weaknesses, and hardships. Why? Because these are the marks of a true servant of Christ. His trials (beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, hunger, and constant danger) demonstrate his deep commitment to the Gospel and his willingness to suffer for the sake of others.
In verse 30, Paul drives it home: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” This is a radical redefinition of strength. Paul is saying that God’s power is made perfect in human weakness, a theme which he will continue in the next chapter.
This passage is both a defense and a rebuke. It is St. Paul saying: “If you’re impressed by flashy credentials, you’re missing the point. Look at the scars; I’ve earned them for Christ.”
While none of us have suffered the various difficulties that define St. Paul’s missionary life, every human being will experience suffering in this life. You might say that this is our time in the desert. While the Israelites journeyed toward the promised land through the desert, they were accompanied by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. In other words, God was with them throughout their suffering. The same is true for us. No matter what cross we are asked to carry, God walks with us on the journey. When our time of pilgrimage is concluded, we will, like the children of Israel, enter a promised land.
The Eucharist we celebrate each day is a foretaste of the banquet which we will experience when we reach our heavenly reward.
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