Daily Reflection June 20, 2025, Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

The Paradox of True Strength & The Light of Generosity 2Cor 11:18.21b-30; Psalm: 33; Mt 6:19-23 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, today we will reflect on the paradox of true strength and the illuminating power of generosity as revealed in 2 Corinthians 11 and the Gospel of Matthew. Paul’s letters often reveal a radical concept of strength. In 2 Corinthians 11, we see what I would call Paul’s holy foolishness. He speaks of his weakness, his sufferings, and even his insults as marks of an authentic apostle. This is where we encounter the scandal of the cross. It challenges our understanding of strength. In a world that often equates strength with power, dominance, and success, Paul flips that notion upside down. He embraces his weaknesses as a testimony of Christ’s power made perfect in fragility. St. Augustine beautifully encapsulates this truth when he states, "The wounds of Christ are our healing; the insults Christ bore are our glory." Think about that for a moment. Our wounds are not merely our sufferings. Rather, they are the avenues through which Christ’s grace flows into our lives. When we embrace redemptive suffering, we find a strength that the world cannot comprehend. We learn to reject worldly validation that seeks to lift us up based on superficial measures. Instead, we find our worth rooted in the love of Christ. Moreover, Paul calls us to defend the truth courageously. In a culture of compromise, we must be bold in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, even when it leads us to the cross. This is not the way of the world, but it is the way of the Kingdom. Now, turning to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6, we encounter His radical detachment from wealth. Here, Jesus speaks of the eye as the lamp of the soul, illuminating our understanding of what we truly treasure. He warns us of the dangers of Mammon, that insatiable force that tempts us to find our worth in material possessions. St. Teresa of Calcutta powerfully reminds us, "Give until it hurts—for real love hurts." This call to generosity is no small task. It challenges us to audit our treasures. What do we hold dear? Are our investments earthly or eternal? In this age of consumerism, we need to seek spiritual clarity. Let us not be blinded by the glitter of gold but instead pursue the true riches that come from a life lived in service to others. So, how do we live out this divine paradox in our daily lives? First, we must simplify materially. Let us let go of the clutter that weighs us down and distracts us from what truly matters. Second, we embrace humility. Strength is not found in self-promotion, but in self-giving. Third, we seek the light of Christ. In our generosity, we reflect His light into a world that so desperately needs it. Friends, we are called to walk the path of divine paradox. True strength is found in our weaknesses, and the light of generosity leads us to eternal treasures. May we embrace this truth, live it out boldly, and shine brightly for the glory of God. Amen. Pope Benedict XVI taught: "Paul’s sufferings are the badge of his authentic apostleship... In them, the power of God is revealed, which surpasses human capacities." (General Audience, August 31, 2006) St. Clare of Assisi: "Place your mind in the mirror of eternity; place your soul in the splendor of glory!" The world says: "Grab power! Hoard wealth!" Christ says: "Lose your life to save it" (Mt 16:25). www.rvammls.org