Living in the world

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For 21 June 2013, Friday of 11th week, based on 2 Corinthians 11:18,21-30

Since many boast according to human standards, I will also boast. To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!

But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman—I am a better one: with far greater labours, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death. Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant?

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.


Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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About Mr Mike Kelly OP

I am married to Jenny, and we have 5 grown-up children and 9 grandchildren. I have had careers in education, and as an immigration consultant. Jenny and I are part of a local Dominican family, and have been part of a preaching team that travelled widely. The thing that makes me Dominican is what Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP calls “a deep relationship between the Dominican vocation to preach, and a passion for justice”.