14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eze 2:2-5
2 Cor 12:7-10
Mk 6:1-6
For it is when I am weak that I am strong.
This sounds like an oxymoron – a figure of speech with opposing meaning. So how can one be weak yet strong at the same time? It is only possible through God, of course.
In this interesting scripture passage, St Paul talks about how to beat satan by doing the opposite of what we normally do. So instead of boasting of our successes, we boast about our weaknesses. So funny! But St Paul says, “I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast, so that the power of Christ may stay over me.” He goes on to justify how it is exactly through our weaknesses, along “with insults, hardships, persecutions and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake” that he becomes strong. It does makes sense. It is through the trials and sufferings that we experience that toughens us up emotionally and spiritually, making us more resilient or wiser, so that we are more prepared and know how to respond the next time a crisis happens.
The first time I experienced the loss of a loved one was the hardest and, of course at that time, I didn’t know or understand what after life is about. Though losing a loved one is always painful, I have since understood that there is the hope of eternal rest and who knows, God will be merciful enough. Only then I don’t hold on to the pain for as long. There is a first time for every trial, tribulation and crisis that we go through. When I was younger, I was much rasher, more passionate, more emotional, more everything. Nowadays, I just turn to the Lord and ask him what he wants us to learn from the episode. Sometimes the insights come much later, but that’s still OK.
What being strong means is to hold on to our faith and trust in the Lord no matter what happens – even in the face of death. We must learn to stop pointing fingers at God for everything bad that happens. There must be a good reason why he allows us to suffer. Sure, he can so easily remove all obstacles, troubles, illnesses, misfortunes from us, especially since he loves us so much. Just remember why he sent his son Jesus to die on the cross. If he can sacrifice his only son for a greater good, then surely he can allow his children to suffer a bit here and there? So then we should trust that whatever we have to endure is ultimately for his glorification – that is, if we can see it that way.
This idea of being weak is also to allow us to decrease, so that he increases; to remove all ego and pride, so that we remain humble when serving him. This weakness is not the same as how everyone thinks; it’s not being a pushover, nor being trampled over by others, or staying timid. We may be weak physically, but spiritually (or internally) we may have the strength and courage like David, who overcame Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Anything is possible with God. Think of the song Be Not Afraid by John Michael Talbot, which always moves me because he always goes before us, especially as we tread through every storm, desert or valley, to make sure we are alright. We just hold on tight to his hand for he is our strength, and our all.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Cynthia Chew)
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help us to see that all the sufferings, the agony and the nights of worry are your way of toughening us spiritually. Turn our weakness into strength for your great glory. Amen
Thanksgiving: Thank you Jesus, for always walking ahead or beside us, through every darkness, there will be light. Hold on to us, especially when we have difficulty clinging on to you. We love you!
OXYGEN 
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