20240725 ALLOWING GOD TO SHINE THROUGH US IN OUR WEAKNESS
25 July 2024, Thursday, St James, Apostle
First reading |
2 Corinthians 4:7-15 |
Such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us
We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed; always, wherever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen in our body. Indeed, while we are still alive, we are consigned to our death every day, for the sake of Jesus, so that in our mortal flesh the life of Jesus, too, may be openly shown. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
But as we have the same spirit of faith that is mentioned in scripture – I believed, and therefore I spoke – we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us. You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 125(126):1-6 |
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels
the Lord worked for them!’
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
Gospel Acclamation | cf.Jn15:16 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
I chose you from the world
to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last,
says the Lord.
Alleluia!
Gospel |
Matthew 20:20-28 |
'Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?'
The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, ‘What is it you want?’ She said to him, ‘Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus answered. ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ ‘Very well,’ he said ‘you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.’
When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
ALLOWING GOD TO SHINE THROUGH US IN OUR WEAKNESS
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [2 COR 4:7-15; MT 20:20-28]
Who makes a great apostle of Christ? One would think that a great apostle is one who travels miles preaching the gospel, establishing new Christian communities, building new churches, performing miracles and wonders. Indeed, we measure success in terms of earthly achievements, just like many people in the world think. This was what the apostles thought as well before the death and resurrection of our Lord. We read how “The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, ‘What is it you want?’ She said to him, ‘Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.'” Of course, the others were not that humble either. We read “When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers.” They were jealous and were also hoping for glory and position when Jesus came to power. They sought to outshine each other, competing with each other for power and glory.
However, Jesus used that as a lesson to teach them who a true apostle is. He is not one that outshines the rest but he shines firstly as a servant. He shines by making others shine by his service. A true apostle must consider himself as a servant and a slave of Christ and of His people. He is not his own. Even when he is given authority, he knows that he must use it not to boost his ego or prop up his position, but for the humble service of the people. This is what the Lord reminded them when He said, “You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” So if we want to outshine others, then we must outshine by being a lowly and humble servant. The humbler we are, the more we allow others to shine.
Secondly, a true apostle is one who shines in giving one’s life for others. Jesus said, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Not only are we called to serve others but we are to give up our life for the sake of others. As St Paul said about Jesus, “For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” (2 Cor 8:9) We are called to give up our lives for others. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Jn 10:10f) The focus of an apostle is always the interests of his people before his own.
Thirdly, a true apostle is one who is ready to drink the cup that Jesus drank at His passion and crucifixion. He must be ready to suffer on behalf of others and for the sake of others. This was what the Lord asked James and John, “You do not know what you are asking, can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” What is this cup? It is the cup of innocent suffering, the cup of rejection, humiliation and false accusation. And in the face of such sufferings, one must not retaliate but to take them humbly. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Pt 2:21-25) Indeed, to suffer for others is one thing, but to suffer innocently without the opportunity to justify ourselves is very humiliating, and it goes against our pride and ego which seeks satisfaction and retribution.
Fourthly, a true apostle never gives up hope in the midst of trials. St Paul said, “We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed.” This is the kind of attitude true apostles of Christ must cultivate and possess. Unless we are positive and hopeful, it shows that we are defeated and that Christ is not our Lord and Saviour. If what we do is truly the work of God, then God will somehow assist us and vindicate us in our sufferings and struggles. A true apostle lives in hope. This is what St Peter wrote, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may rebound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pt 1:6f)
Fifthly, a true apostle shines by allowing Christ to be seen in His body. St Paul said, “always wherever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen in our body.” Whenever we die to ourselves through innocent suffering and weaknesses, Christ is shown to be at work in our lives. Christ shines powerfully in us not when we are strong but when we are weak. This is what St Paul experienced in His ministry. “Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (2 Cor 11:28f) Yet, the paradox of being a witness of Christ is when we show ourselves to be helpless. We need to die to our pride and our self-sufficiency. “Indeed, while we are still alive, we are consigned to our death every day, for the sake of Jesus, so that in our mortal flesh the life of Jesus, too, may be openly shown. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”
Indeed, the greatest way to witness for Christ is for the glory of God to shine in us. This is what St Paul meant when he wrote that “we are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.” The greatness of God lies in His humility expressed by His self-emptying. Although He was God, He emptied Himself of His divinity to assume our humanity. (cf Phil 2:5-11) We, too, in our nothingness, God has filled us with His grace. He had chosen to dwell in the womb of Mary through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. He also used us as poor instruments to be His preachers and healers. He chose us to be His apostles in spite of our nothingness. “For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Cor 2:26-29)
Indeed, when people see that it is God who works in our weakness, they will give glory to God. “You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.” With the psalmist, we sing the marvels and power of God at work in our lives. When Israel thought it was impossible for them to return home from exile, God amazingly used a pagan king, Cyrus of Persia to allow them to return home to rebuild their homeland, providing them even the necessary resources and assistance. “When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. The heathens themselves said: “What marvels the Lord worked for them!” What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.”
In the final analysis, a true apostle of Christ is one who shines in his faith. “But as we have the same spirit of faith that is mentioned in scripture – we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us.” We are called to hold fast to our faith in Christ’s death and resurrection when we face trials and sufferings in life like the apostles.
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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