Sunday of Creation (NT)

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

¹² When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, ¹³ my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. ¹⁵ For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, ¹⁶ to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

St Paul is disappointed. He did not find his brother Titus, where one would suppose he was supposed to be. But he is comforted by the fact that God spreads the fragrance of Christ’s forgiveness in all the land. God fills people with one fragrance, which either brings death or life.

St Paul and Titus are only two people whom God has given this message. God has sent out his messengers to fill all of creation with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many people take this message and twist or pervert it for their own gain. Some sell it for a profit.

God sends his message forth. God commissioned people to spread this message. God calls people to be priests and ministers of the Gospel. These people proclaim the shortfalls and devastating things people do. These people also proclaim forgiveness and renewal. Christ has died for the forgiveness of sins. Christ is Risen as the first fruits of your resurrection. He has placed this aroma in your nostrils so that you may have life everlasting.