Boasting in Weakness: Explanatory Notes on 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Reflecting on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: One Day after Sunday (Year B)

Scripture

Semi-continuous: Psalm 21; 2 Samuel 5:1-10; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Complementary: Psalm 119:81-88; Ezekiel 2:8-3:11; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

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Prayer

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

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Reflection

I repeat, let no one think that I am a fool, but if you do, then accept me as a fool, so that I, too, may boast a little. What I am saying in regard to this boastful undertaking, I am saying not with the Lord’s authority but as a fool; since many boast according to human standards, I will also boast. For you gladly put up with fools, being wise yourselves! For you put up with it when someone makes slaves of you or preys upon you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or gives you a slap in the face. To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!