Lesson in trust and surrender: Jesus' teaching and Paul's experience
May 10, 2024 - Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; John 16:20-23
In the Acts of the Apostles, we see a pattern of the early Church moving from preaching the Gospel to the Jews to preaching it to the Gentiles. The first to do so was Peter, who, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, broke the separating wall that religion and culture built between the Jews and the Gentiles of the ancient world. The Church realized that the Gentiles are also called to become the chosen people of God. But, that move was also dictated by the rejection of the Gospel by some Jews. And that is how Paul's ministry in Corinth began. Initially, he shared the Gospel with both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue every Sabbath. But when he was rejected, he moved to the Gentiles (see Acts 18:1-7).
Today, Luke tells us that those Jews who rejected Paul's message, motivated by jealousy, brought a case against Paul before Galio, a new proconsul of the Roman province of Achaia, of which Corinth was the capital city. It was the first time that Paul stood trial before a Roman provincial governor. According to historical records, Galio was a brother of the famous Stoic philosopher Seneca and in the eyes of many, a very capable administrator. It is evident in his decision of dismissing the trial, realizing that he was not qualified to judge matters pertaining to Jewish religion.
In today's Gospel, Jesus continues the topic of sadness and joy that the disciples are going to experience. He compares their moving from grief to joy to the experience of a mother who gives birth to a child. The hour of giving birth is painful, but the affliction is short-lived once the child arrives. The memory of pain is not forgotten, but the pain ends and is replaced by joy. Perhaps, that's how Paul felt while leaving Corinth for Syria. Eighteen months of labor came to an end, and he not only left unharmed but also left behind a thriving Christian community.
Luke tells us that before boarding a ship at Cenchrea - the eastern seaport of Corinth - he cut his hair. His vow reminds me of the vow of Jacob who, in his distress when forced to leave his family and homeland, made a vow to the Lord in which the patriarch promised the Lord a full tenth of all that God would give him in exchange for protection, provision, and peaceful return to his home (see Gen. 28:20-22). Luke did not tell us when and why Paul made that vow, but its fulfillment at the departure from Corinth could indicate the reason for making it.
The psalmist proclaims that "the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth" (Ps. 47:3). According to the Bible, the lordship of God extends to all aspects of human life. The story of Paul's missionary endeavor in Corinth reminds us of that truth. And this realization leads us from questioning to trust, from doubts to surrender. Saint Teresa of Avila beautifully expressed it in her prayer:
"Let nothing trouble you / Let nothing frighten you
Everything passes / God never changes
Patience / Obtains all
Whoever has God / Wants for nothing
God alone is enough" (see CCC, 227).