Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Paul's Hardships

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 -- Week of Proper 5, Year One
Ephrem of Edessa, Deacon, 373

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 970)
Psalms 72 (morning) 119:73-96 (evening)
Deuteronomy 31:30 - 32:14
2 Corinthians 11:21b-33
Luke 19:11-27

As we continue reading Paul's "severe letter" to the church in Corinth, he challenges his rivals in the congregation. We don't know much about them, but it is likely that they have interfered with the money collection for the Jerusalem church, maybe taking payment for themselves from the funds that Paul intended for Jerusalem. Paul attacks what he interprets as their prideful ways and contrasts his own trials with their presumption to privilege. He probably is picking up their language when he calls himself a fool. His opponents have accused Paul of appearing powerful and weighty in his letters, but small and inarticulate in his person.

Paul chides the congregation, "For you put up with it when someone makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or gives you a slap in the face! To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!" Then Paul lists the longest and most detailed account of the hardships that he had faced. It is a compelling list: "...labors, ...imprisonments, ...countless floggings, and often near death. Five times ...the forty lashes minus one. Three times ...beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches."

Now that last line ought to provoke guilt among the congregation in Corinth. It is they themselves who are bringing anxiety to Paul, this heroic figure who has already suffered so much for the sake of the gospel. The drama and conflict in Paul's life rivals an adventure movie.

Reading an account of the hardships that Paul endured is humbling. Sometimes it is helpful to recall the endurance others have faced, especially whenever we feel our situation has become hard or depressing.

I remember when I was finding it hard to make time daily for prayer and scripture. It seemed that I was so busy; there was always something pressing that made be think I should do that rather than protect my prayer and scripture time. There were so many needs I felt I had to address. Then I read a brief account in the newspaper about the President's schedule. The President was Jimmy Carter. Like any President, his day started early and lasted late, and there were immense pressures demanding his attention. Yet, every day, he stepped aside for his own time of prayer and scripture. That changed my own perspective. If the President could find time with all of his pressures, certainly I could, despite my comparably smaller concerns.

The next time I'm tired, maybe I'll remember Paul and all that he faced, and I can find a bit more energy to persevere myself.

Lowell
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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.


Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas

2 Comments:

At 3:49 PM, Blogger Undergroundpewster said...

We are softies. Compared to those that "small and inarticulate" "fool" experienced, our "hardships" are less than inconveniences.

 
At 7:27 AM, Blogger Lowell said...

Amen, UP

 

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