Ezekiel 2: 2-5;
2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
Mark 6: 1-6
When
I was in formation to become a deacon, our instructors often told us
stories about past priests and bishops. Archbishop Floersh was the
subject of many of these stories. I have no memory of the
archbishop. He retired when I was still a young boy. It was said
that Archbishop Floersh believed that every person in Louisville
should live within walking distance of a catholic church. Under his
leadership, we built many new churches locally.
Another
tale that I heard regarding the good archbishop had to do with
priestly assignments. It was said that if a priest showed a
particular talent or preference, Archbishop Floersh would invariably
“do the opposite.” For example, if a priest showed a preference
for working with young people, the archbishop might assign him to be
the chaplain at a nursing home.
When
I first heard this story, I felt confused. Why would a bishop ignore
people's strengths and instead put them into a situation where they
might be ineffective or perhaps even fail? Wouldn't the archdiocese
be better served if everyone's assignments reflected their particular
gifts and talents?
I'm
betting that the archbishop was familiar with today's epistle from
Paul.
St.
Paul was a gifted writer and preacher. Some of his best letters were
written not sitting in a comfortable chair in his private study, but
on the floor of a rat-invested prison cell. We heard his words today
to the Corinthians, a people who were besieged by false prophets who
boasted of their visions and their miracles. He tells the people of
Corinth that whenever he was tempted to become proud like the false
prophets, he was always knocked down a peg with what he described as
a “thorn of the flesh.”
Now
I did some research about Paul and what this thorn of the flesh might
be that affected him. There are many theories and diagnoses that
have been put forth – everything from epilepsy to an eye disorder
to chronic depression. The problem with these diagnoses is that the
patient has been dead for more than 1900 years!
It's
not the sickness but what Paul does with his thorn that is important.
He sees it as a grace from God so that the power of Christ could
dwell within him. The thorn of the flesh is a limitation that
reminds Paul that although he is God's prophet, he is not God; he is
a man in whom God dwells.
There
is strength in weakness. There is a certain freedom that comes with
acknowledging our short-comings and asking God for support and
guidance.
When
we are good at something and we achieve success, sometimes our egos
allow us to take all of credit. Conversely, when we achieve success
from a position of weakness, it is much easier to give God the praise
and the credit. This is a point that St. Paul and Archbishop Floersh
both understood.
Yesterday
was the 4th of
July, our nations birthday, so it seems fitting to acknowledge this
event. I'm sure that yesterday, many of you heard the song “America
The Beautiful.” There is one line in the second stanza that I
would like to highlight. It says, “America, America, God mend
thine every flaw...”
I
saw a lot of posts on Facebook yesterday that said basically the US
is # 1 and the rest of the world should acknowledge it and be
envious. It is certainly true that we as a people enjoy many
freedoms and rights that the rest of the world doesn't. It is
certainly true that we as a nation have military might and political
influence in world affairs. There is much to celebrate.
But
we are also a nation that has many flaws – flaws that go well
beyond the person who might occupy the oval office in any given year.
Our national debt is out of control. Hunger and homelessness
abounds. We have unemployment and healthcare issues. Prejudice and
bigotry are still commonplace. The war on terror has no end in
sight. Meanwhile the gulf between our wealthy and our poor grows
ever wider.
I
do not mention these flaws because I hate our nation. I speak of
them because I love this country and I want a better one for my
children and my grandchildren. Perhaps Paul's letter to the
Corinthians has meaning for us here as well. Maybe in admitting our
weaknesses as a nation, God will say, “My grace is sufficient for
you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
Rather
than puffing ourselves up and bragging about how great we are, the
better option might be to embrace our faults – the thorns in our
flesh – and allow humility to guide us for awhile. As St. Paul so
eloquently states, “I will rather boast more gladly of my
weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ might dwell in me.”
It
is a paradox in faith: “When I am weak, then I am strong.”
Whatever limitations Paul faced, his weakness helped him rely in a
deep way not on himself but upon God. He began to see his flaws as a
pathway to God's grace. My prayer today is that we as individuals,
and as a nation, will actively seek out this path for ourselves.
Deacon Darryl J. Diemer
14th Sunday In Ordinary Time
July 5, 2015
Painting: St Paul In Prison by Rembrandt, 1627
Painting: St Paul In Prison by Rembrandt, 1627
