Paul founded the church at Corinth around 50 AD, spending about 18 months there establishing a community of believers consisting of both Gentiles and converts from Judaism. And II Corinthians was written as a sort of prelude to Paul’s third and final visit to Corinth, in which Paul expresses great joy that the Gospel was finally beginning to take real root in the hearts of the Christians there. There had been some real spiritual progress in the community: some of the divisions had been healed, some of the moral issues had been overcome. So Paul writes to encourage the Corinthians to keep the momentum going, while also addressing some of the enduring pastoral issues and problems which afflicted the Church.
Encouragement. Several times, just in the opening lines of the letter, Paul mentions encouragement.
Paul writes, “God encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.”
All Christians experience affliction of some form or another. Illness, financial troubles, temptations, hostility from the world or even from family members. All of us, share in the sufferings of Christ, all of us have some share in the cross. Paul, is certainly speaking from personal experience here. Later in this very letter he’ll explain: “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.”
But Paul also testifies that God encourages us in our afflictions: He strengthens us, he heals our wounded hearts, he shows us the way forward, he helps us to keep our hearts focused on reaching our eternal goal.
And Paul explains that God encourages us in our afflictions, so that we may encourage others in their afflictions with the encouragement we have received. Our afflictions aren’t meaningless. The healing and wisdom we gain is meant to be passed on to others.
This principle is utilized in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Addicts who have found wisdom and courage and strength to face their addictions share that wisdom, courage, and strength with new addicts. Similarly in many Christian bereavement programs: those who have experienced healing from grief, share that healing with others.
God makes us into his instruments through the trials we face. Always be ready to share the lessons and wisdom and strength and encouragement you have gained through your trials with others for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For the whole Christian people, that the beatitudes of Christ may animate our lives.
That our nation may be united by God’s Spirit, guarded from terror, observant of God’s Holy Laws, and vigilant against threats to our freedom, peace, and well-being. May the Wisdom of God guide our government leaders and legislators, our families, businesses, civil institutions, and all our domestic affairs
For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept close to the truth and heart of Jesus; that young people may live in faith-filled homes where the Gospel is cherished, studied, and lived-out.
For the sick, the impoverished, the lonely, those suffering from mental illness, those most in need, and those near death: may God, through the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be close to them in their trials.
For our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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