The Third Sunday of Advent (NT)

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. ³ And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴ and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. ⁵ On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— ⁶ though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. ⁷ So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I am weak but He is strong. St Paul describes a Man who was revealed something more than himself. This man was given a vision or experience. St Paul does not describe his own miraculous experience. But here he contrasts his boasting in weakness. He boasts in the thorn he carries in his own flesh.

Many have set out to tell me what this thorn is. Others have attempted to inform me what is meant by the third heaven. But is not the point what you can boast in and what is of greater importance. I am not going to tell you about visions or problems I have experienced. I am more than happy to say I have things that make me weak. God has also reminded me of his great power and might.

I am weak but he is strong. Christ was killed and over came the power of death. I will boast in Christ. He has redeemed me from my sins. You want to talk about someone in Paradise, look to the thief on the cross. You want to see a thorn in the flesh, look at Christ’s crown. He is my king. He is your King. I am sinful but he forgives me and cleanses me.