Sexagesima- Glorying in Infirmities- II Corinthians 11:19-31

 On this Sunday almost sixty (Latin sexagesima) days before Easter, my attention has been drawn to the Epistle from II Corinthians 11:19- 31. In this passage, the Apostle Paul summarizes his ministry and some of his difficulties. Then in II Corinthians 11:30, he concludes, "If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities." Those who follow Jesus Christ must follow Him in the way of the cross. Despite our creaturely proclivities, we must not look for worldly ease or earthly glory. Instead, we must look to Christ and pursue spiritual goals which are contrary to worldly ways of thinking. Believers need to see worldly trials and struggles as ways leading to heavenly glory.

This Christian principle is always true, but sometimes we need to be reminded, and we need to think of how it applies in our lives. This week, two distinct applications have struck me. First, there is an application to the church calendar. During pre-Lent and Lent, we highlight themes of self-discipline and self-denial. Such themes are important for living a Christian life and for striving to follow our Lord. It is not our outward triumphs that mark our loyal discipleship. Rather, it is our perseverance through unpleasant and difficult circumstances and through our infirmities that indicate our faithfulness to Christ.

Secondly, this principle has a special relevance to Christian discipleship in these historic times. A cursory examination of the news shows great challenges. There are corruptions, absurdities, and evil in many places. This decadence is widespread in religion, even in supposedly Christian churches. So Christians who strive to be faithful in doctrine and conduct are frequently confronted with blatant false teachings and evil behavior from their leaders and fellows. 

Historically, there have always been human failures, but in recent times, the failures are more widespread and systemic. Christian institutions that have been faithful in some respects in the past may no longer be so today or tomorrow. Opposition and even persecution may suddenly come from new directions. And our personal strengths may feel overwhelmed. But we do not face the world confiding in our own strength. Like the Apostle Paul, we must be ready to face a variety of challenges allowing the grace of God in Christ Jesus to work through our infirmities.

Trinity Sunday- Matthew 3:16-17, John 3: 5-16, Ephesians 2:18, I Peter 1:2

Much has been and can be said about the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  It is appropriate that we focus on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity one week after celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. Although human beings can use both reason and poetic language to talk about the nature of the Triune God, our personal appreciation of this unique Christian teaching depends on the divine grace which the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts and minds. In other words, perceiving, confessing, and appreciating the doctrine of the Trinity is not a natural human ability but a gift of divine grace. 

There are numerous Scriptural passages that both maintain divine oneness and unity and refer to all three divine Persons.  There are New Testament texts such as Matthew 3:16-17, John 3: 5-16, Ephesians 2:18, 2 Corinthians 13: 14, and 1 Peter 1:2 that express a Trinitarian understanding of God's self-disclosure to humanity. In particular, the Gospel for this day from John 3 alludes to the work of all three divine Persons in being born anew by water and the Spirit. These biblical teachings are also summarized and explained in the three ancient Creeds, the ancient church fathers, and statements in numerous Christian sources. In other words, the doctrine of the Trinity embodies and expresses core Christian beliefs about creation, redemption, and sanctification.

Trinity XII- Letter and Spirit- II Corinthians 3

 In the Epistle for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity from II Corinthians 3, the Apostle Paul speaks of the ministry of Christians.  In  II Cor. 3:6, he says that we are "ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." These words remain important for the Christian life, but they have often been misunderstood or interpreted in extreme or chaotic ways. 

The letter of the commandments had and continues to have value, The letter shows divine standards, points out human failures, and gives general guidance, but the letter of the law condemns sin. The letter does not give life. External rules are necessary in this world, but they do not save. Only the spirit brings life. The new testament, the message of Jesus Christ, goes beyond the external rules to the internal spiritual level. It brings life-giving power, guidance, and forgiveness. The spirituality of the gospel transforms the letter; it helps us move beyond literalism and legalism into sincere and loving service for the Lord.