Friday 13 June 2025 - Extraordinary power

Friday 13 June 2025

Today is Friday the 13th of June, the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, in the 10th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Glenstal Abbey sing Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est. ‘Wherever love is true, God is there.’ Reflect on the people who will be around you today. Picture their faces. Think of the lives they lead: their work, their worries, their passions, their loves. God is present in there: the God who is love. Present, living, dwelling in every one of these people, and in you. Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur. Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum. Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero. Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est. Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur: Ne nos mente dividamur, caveamus. Cessent iurgia maligna, cessent lites. Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus. Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est. Simul quoque cum beatis videamus, Glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus: Gaudium quod est immensum, atque probum, Saecula per infinita saeculorum. Amen. Where love is true, God is there. Love of Christ has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad. Let us fear, and let us love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love one. Where love is true, God is there. At the same time, therefore, are gathered into one: Lest we be divided in mind, let us beware. Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease. And in the midst of us be Christ our God. Where love is true, God is there. At the same time we see that with the saints also, Thy face in glory, O Christ our God: The joy that is immense and good, Unto the World without end. Amen. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—‘I believed, and so I spoke’—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. If sometimes you feel afflicted, perplexed, persecuted or struck down, well, you’re in good company. Paul seems to think that there is nothing unusual about any of these states. Life, including Christian life, is often hard! We don’t need to pretend otherwise. And you already know that this has been the case for you. Yet, our struggles are never pointless, and we need never despair. God is always at work for good. It is the same God and the same good that brings about the resurrection of Jesus. We are caught up in the same salvific work of God in Christ. You might feel like a clay jar. Nevertheless, there is treasure in you and God knows it is there. Consider that for a moment . . . Listen to Paul again. He really knows what he’s talking about here. 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—‘I believed, and so I spoke’—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. What’s the particular treasure – a treasure within you and your life – that God is showing you at the moment? . . . look at it together and, well, treasure it! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen