RICH AND ABOUNDING IN CHARITY
To
say that St. Paul was hemmed in from all sides is an understatement. To
say that he loved the people he worked for is to state it weakly. Paul
loved the Corinthians deeply.
It is hard to love people who make you suffer. It is difficult to be nice to
individuals who tear your life apart, or at least impute evil
intentions to everything you do. It must have been hard to love the
Corinthians. Despite St. Paul’s efforts, the Corinthians never really
left behind their fractious and
factionalist ways. We reflected yesterday on how he had to “wield
righteousness with right hand and left,” as he faced terrific odds while
doing ministry for the Gospel.
Last year, I was personally touched by a man who, after being physically maltreated
by another bigger and stronger man owing to a minor traffic
altercation, found it in his heart to forgive the latter and chose not
to file charges.
The whole drama of disproportionate and unbridled anger was caught on
CCTV and seen by scores of people who eventually sympathized with the
smaller, weaker, but obviously emotionally stronger man who never lost
his dignity one bit.
St. Paul had every reason in the world to write to the Corinthians “in
tears.” On account of their behavior, Paul was bereft of any form of
human consolation from them. The Corinthians had precious little in
their emotional bank account for Paul. But what the Apostle tells the
Gentiles convicts me, and the actions of that forgiving man, who was
manhandled by some spoiled brat, impresses me deeply.
Paul speaks glowingly of people in dire need (in Macedonia) who
“produced abundant generosity” despite being “in the midst of severe
trial and deep poverty.” He counseled the Corinthians to be as “rich and
abounding in charity.” For that was what Paul was: as magnanimous as he
was generous, like Christ who, “for [our] sake made himself poor, so
that [we] may become rich.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you tend to get even with people who hurt you? What can be a more Christian response?
Teach me to be more forgiving, Lord, as You are forgiving and merciful to me.
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