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for July 7, 2024

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07-07-2024 2 Corinthians 12 V-0610 Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

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The Book of 2 Corinthians 12 v- six thru Ten

6 Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me 7 because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. 10 Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 captures a profound spiritual lesson shared by the Apostle Paul. In these verses, Paul speaks openly about his "thorn in the flesh," a persistent struggle or affliction that plagued him. Despite pleading with God three times to remove this thorn, Paul received a divine response: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Rather than view his weakness as a burden, Paul comes to understand it as a conduit for God's strength. He declares, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This radical acceptance transforms his perspective, allowing him to find contentment in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. Paul concludes with the powerful affirmation, "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

These verses offer a paradoxical yet comforting message: our human frailty and struggles can become the very platforms through which God's power and grace are most vividly displayed. It is in our moments of greatest vulnerability that we can experience the depth of divine strength and love. We once encountered this in an accident our oldest son was in some years ago.

When our son was involved in a car wreck, it was one of the most harrowing experiences my wife Toni and I have ever faced. The initial phone call from friends left us both paralyzed with fear. The words, "critical condition," echoed in our minds, and Toni's usually serene demeanor crumbled into a state of overwhelming worry. Her eyes, usually so vibrant, were clouded with tears, and she clutched at her heart as if trying to hold it together. We were both plunged into an abyss of helplessness, unable to control the situation or predict its outcome. We began praying out loud and calling everyone we know to pray as well.

Toni's worry was palpable as we pulled into the trauma hospital they had Life Flighted him to. We ran to the ICU floor, both our minds racing through worst-case scenarios. Her maternal instincts screamed for action, dropping to our knees and praying the Rosary aloud calling on God to heal our son. This waiting, this helplessness, was her thorn—a piercing reminder of our human frailty. Toni didn’t leave the hospital for three days and then only went home to shower and return.

It took a week or more for Toni to return to her work at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Toni's anxiety was still palpable, her hands trembling as she held her eyes closed in prayer when we attended Mass before she went to work. But then, a moment of grace arrived. The reading was from 2 Corinthians 12:6-10. As the words were read aloud, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," I saw Toni's posture change. She sat up straighter, her eyes fixed on the scripture as if it were speaking directly to her heart.

In those moments, the divine truth of Paul’s words began to seep into her soul. "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me," the reader continued. Toni’s tears ceased, replaced by a profound sense of peace. She turned to me, her face illuminated by a newfound strength, and said, "When you are weak, He is strong."

It was as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The thorn of worry that had been piercing her heart was still there, but it no longer had the power to paralyze her. Instead, it became a conduit for God's grace. Toni realized that in our darkest moments, when we are at our weakest, that is when God's strength is most evident. She began to pray, not just for our son's recovery, but for the strength to accept whatever God's will might be.

As we left the church, Toni seemed transformed. Her fear had not vanished, but it had been tempered by faith. She had found a strength that was not her own, a divine assurance that, no matter the outcome, she would trust in Jesus no matter the consequence to live in God’s Will forever and ever. Remember what Christ says, “When you are weak I Am strong.” Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

07-07-2024 2 Corinthians 12 V-0610

**Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace**

In weakness found, a strength divine,

A thorn that pierced, yet light did shine.

Paul's humble heart, though trials weigh,

In God's great grace, found strength to stay.

Though he might boast of visions grand,

He chose instead to firmly stand,

In truth, with power made perfect there,

In weakness, God’s own love laid bare.

Three times he pleaded, "Take it hence,"

Yet heard, "My grace is your defense.

For when you're weak, then I am strong,

In you, My Power will prolong."

So Paul embraced his pain and plight,

For Christ’s own sake, he faced the night.

Delight in hardships, insults, loss,

For strength is found upon the Cross.

In weakness, power, in struggle, grace,

In Christ alone, a resting place.

For when we're weak, His strength is shown,

In hearts where His great love is known. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

July 7, 2024 @ 05:25 AM EST

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