I Believe, Therefore, I Speak

I BELIEVE, THEREFORE, I SPEAK

We hold this treasure in earthen vessels.

We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;

Perplexed but not driven to despair;

Persecuted, but not abandoned;

Struck down but not destroyed;

Always carrying the body of Christ with us,

so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in us.

Since, then, we are of the same spirit of faith, as it

Is written,” I believe, therefore, I speak.”

We, too, believe therefore we speak.

These words of St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians speak directly to all followers of Christ, regardless of what religious group they belong to.  He calls out to us all to remember what the goal is and to work tirelessly whatever it costs to bring the message of Christ to the world.  In this letter, Paul is reminding himself of these things.  His time in Corinth was difficult and when he left there he was constantly getting news of how off course the faithful were.  Still, he never gave up on them.  He set an example for all other disciples and missionaries and people like us who grieve because our children and grandchildren have abandoned the faith.

The phrases that can keep us grounded are; “Always carry the body of Christ with us, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in us” and “I believe, therefore I speak”.

What would that look like, the life of Jesus manifested in us?  Would it be patient, tolerant, kind, slow to judge, fair, and loving?  That will do for a start.  It would be nice if we were all orators who commanded attention, but St. Paul was that, and he had to work very hard and met serious opposition, but as he said, “We are struck down but not destroyed.” 

We are not evangelists in the usual sense, but by our lives we bring the light. 
When you receive Communion, don’t think of it as a reward for being good. Instead, understand it is a challenge to live the life, which manifests the life of Jesus.  Stand up for what is right. Have courage in the face of opposition. When you are tempted to be discouraged, remember that God has the final say as to the outcome.  You and I are just the messengers called by God.

I BELIEVE, THEREFORE, I SPEAK

Blessings on you all as summer begins at last.

Carol Lemelin OPA