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FROM
THE SERVANT GENERAL
THE
PARADOX OF OUR LIFE AND MISSION
July
25, 2011
Today’s
readings:
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Psalm 126:1-6
Matthew 20:20-28
The authentic Christian life is a counter culture to that
of the world. That is why it is so difficult for sinful humanity
to live out what is authentically the way of Christ. That
is why we are called on to put on the mind of Christ. The
way of the world is a wide road that leads to destruction,
while the way of Christ is a narrow path that leads to salvation.
Today’s readings are very interesting, in that they
speak about some of the paradoxes in living for and serving
Christ while in the world. Let us take a look at these.
|
Bible
verse |
The
world |
The
Christian life |
|
2
Cor 4:7a |
earthen
vessels |
treasure |
|
2
Cor 4:7b |
power
from us |
power
of God |
|
2
Cor 4:8a |
afflicted |
but
not constrained |
|
2
Cor 4:8b |
perplexed |
but
not driven to despair |
|
2
Cor 4:9a |
persecuted |
but
not abandoned |
|
2
Cor 4:9b |
struck
down |
but
not destroyed |
|
2
Cor 4:10 |
the
dying of Jesus |
the
life of Jesus |
|
2
Cor 4:11 |
we
who live are constantly given up to death |
so
that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal
flesh |
|
2
Cor 4:12 |
death
is at work in us |
but
life in you |
|
Ps
126:5 |
those
who sow in tears |
will
reap with cries of joy |
|
Ps
126:6 |
those
who go forth weeping |
will
reurn with cries of joy |
|
Mt
20:25-26a |
the
rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them |
but
it shall not be so among you |
|
Mt
20:26b |
whoever
wishes to be great among you |
shall
your servant |
|
Mt
20:27 |
whover
wishes to be first among you |
shall
be your slave |
|
Mt
20:28 |
did
not come to be served |
but
to serve |
In
the topsy-turvy world of Christian discipleship, the first
is the last and the greatest is the least. Suffering for the
cause of Christ brings joy. Human weakness is strength in
God. The humble are exalted. The foolish shame the wise and
the weak shame the strong. The lowly and despised reduce to
nothing those who are something.
Jesus,
the King of kings and Lord of lords, came as a suffering servant.
For all those who wish to follow Jesus, he gives the directive:
deny yourself and embrace the cross. For those who truly want
to serve him, Jesus says, “Can you drink the cup that
I am going to drink?” (Mt 20:22b).
We may give up many things, like our time, talent and treasure,
we may endure many hardships, but we are assured that we are
on the right path. We simply have to trust in Jesus, “knowing
that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also
with Jesus and place us with you in his presence.” (2
Cor 4:14).
The paradoxes of life point to the reversals in our earthly
fortunes, as God works in and through us. When we finally
look back on all the ups and downs of life, on all the seeming
tragedies and pain, we can confidently say, “The Lord
has done great things for us; oh, how happy we were!”
(Ps 126:3). Even happier will we be as we go about our work
of evangelization and mission, bringing more and more people
into a vibrant life in Christ. Everything then works for our
good and for the good of God’s people. “Everything
indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance
on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow
for the glory of God.” (2 Cor 4:15).
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