Pauline Reflections 12 - 29th November 2008

EARTHEN VESSELS

“But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not consumed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body”
2 Corinthians 4:7-10.

Paul in these verses affirms the reality of human weakness in our call to discipleship. He emphasises God’s transforming power in us by grace to make beautiful what may already seem condemned. He vividly draws a very familiar image of pottery. Archaeological findings in the Middle East reveal many pieces of pottery from earliest civilisations. Clay pots then were used to hold items of great value and clay jars served as good storage for water and wine keeping them cool and fresh. 

Paul compares the disciple to a piece of pottery. We each carry this precious treasure of our faith, the good news of Jesus Christ, in ‘earthen vessels’. God chooses frail and weak instruments to fulfil His divine purpose. The verses reflect Paul’s personal encounter with the Corinthians who misinterpreted his sufferings, setbacks and failures as evidence of God’s absence in his life. Paul now has to insist, by way of correction, that his suffering and affliction are instead a proof that his work and mission are from God and that God was with him.

Each Christian, like Paul, is reminded of the necessity of bearing hardships, and although pressed on every side, we are never crushed. In persecution we gain strength and should never feel abandoned, recalling those words of Jesus: “Anyone who wants to be a follower of mine must renounce himself, take up his cross and then follow me.” (Luke 9:23; Mark. 8:34).  

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I unite all my pains and sufferings with your suffering and death on the cross; grant me the grace of perseverance in following you until the end of my days. Amen.