Sundays After Pentecost, Year B 2023 – 24: Epistle Passage – How Paul journeys with the Divine

“As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!” (II Corinthians 6:1 – 2)

In Paul’s thinking, all things have come together so that this is the optimum time to profess faith in the Divine and belief in the Risen Lord. What I am not sure Paul realized is that “acceptable time” did not have a time limit; at least, we know that now. For Paul, there was immediate need as he conveyed to his readers. No time to wait for the return of the Risen Lord may be imminent. With that settled, Paul moves on to define his mission and approach for the gospel.

“We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see–we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (Verses 3 – 10)

Paul had great fervor for the Lord. In this regard he reminds me of Elijah and the time he retreated to a distant cave, and took refuge from those who sought his death. Yes, Paul reminds me of Elijah. I think, perhaps, that Paul knew the Divine as the Risen Lord gave him, hmmm, extra endurance. And that Paul did not do his mission work alone, as Elijah did. Elijah was called home as a good & faithful servant. Paul sees himself the same way; and perhaps it was the example of Elijah and the other prophets that gave Paul the ability to persevere and see through the call of his ministry and mission. Yes, building on Paul’s spiritual forebears – he was able to understand and accept all that he had to go through. He journeyed with the Lord God fearlessly.

“We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return–I speak as to children–open wide your hearts also.” (Verses 11 – 13)

These last verses remind me that Paul, through his own choice, was sent to those who do not/did not have a background knowledge of Yahweh and the journey that the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews knew. That means that at times he needs to “water down” the strength of his preaching. That is something for me to ponder, beloved reader, because I often assume of my readers that they have background knowledge of faith and spirituality. In MY exuberance I may preach/write in a way that is more didactic & pedagogical. Apologies if I have seemed irrespectful of your knowledge of faith. I am me, and Paul is Paul.

May you, beloved reader who are cognizant of spirituality & belief, journey with the Divine so that you may increase your faith and share that faith with others. Shalom & Selah!