Friday
of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
(II
Corinthians 11:18.21-30; Matthew 6:19-23)
Writing
passionately in this Second Letter to the
Corinthians, Paul’s words elicit comment. However, commentators cannot say very much
because the context is not clear. Is
Paul criticizing “superapostles” for promoting circumcision as he did in the
Letter to the Galatians? Perhaps, but it
seems likely that something else is at play.
It very well may be that there are a number of Christian evangelizers
roaming around. Some of these are
requesting money from their listeners and then criticizing Paul for not taking
any.
In the
passage today, Paul wants to demonstrate that he is an authentic apostle. Indeed, he is claiming that he is the most
authentic, given all that he has suffered to preach the gospel. He knows that boasting is not a good
practice. However, he begs patience of his
readers for having to make his case.
Jesus told his disciples that they will have to suffer in preaching the
gospel. Paul demonstrates here how much
he has done that.
This passage urges us beyond admiration of Paul and modesty about our accomplishments. It warns us of smooth talkers who distort the Word of God. They come in different forms. Some preach “hell and brimstone” so that we become hypercritical of our neighbors. Others may preach self-indulgence so that we lose sight of our sinfulness. In either case we have the truth of Paul writings to keep us on the right track.
