The second reading for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the B Cycle of the Lectionary for Sunday Mass, happens to be one of those passages that fits squarely into the life of any CUSAN.
That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, 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. 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 12:7-10)
Gallons of ink have been spilled trying to determine what “thorn in the flesh” Paul endured. There simply is no way to determine with any certainty what ailment or disability he might be talking about. However, the fact of the matter is that it doesn’t really matter. Whether the affliction was a physical condition or a mental disability is not the issue. Rather we find great solace and comfort in the fact that St. Paul has come to see his “thorn in the flesh” as part of his call to holiness.
Being “content with weakness” is no easier than rejoicing in his afflictions, something he writes in his Letter to the Colossians. Coming the realization that when he is weak, God’s power can work through him is the joyful message that we hear in this chapter of the New Testament. God chooses and disposes. We simply make ourselves disponable, available. When we allow God to work through our disability, then we become far more powerful than if we were able to accomplish the task ourselves.
I will never forget something I heard from a participant in one of the retreats that I conducted back in the decade of the 90’s. A fellow friar had been one of many retreat masters for this individual. He was afflicted with lateral sclerosis which severely limited his ability to walk under his own power. The retreatant said to me: “Just seeing him drag his useless leg to the desk where he sat was a powerful sermon in itself.” All CUSANS have the opportunity to “preach” that sermon each and every day of their lives.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator