Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 30, 2024

Date: Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  1 Corinthians 1:17-25

Brothers and sisters: Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,and the learning of the learned I will set aside.

Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamationto save those who have faith. For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today comes from the opening chapter of Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians and holds up Christ crucified as a sign of the LORD’s wisdom in contrast to human wisdom. Paul acknowledges that to many, the cross of Christ is a stumbling block because they cannot suspend their human reasoning enough to open themselves to the unmeasurable love of the LORD who selflessly gives Himself for our salvation.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I look away from the crucifix because it makes me uncomfortable? It makes me consider my role in the death of Jesus, my Savior and LORD?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, your love for me and desire for my salvation and life motivated You to send your beloved and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us as our brother and in his humanity to redeem us for our sins when we ourselves would not and could not. Send your Spirit to open my eyes to the beauty and wisdom and love of the crucifix, of Christ crucified, of the unmeasurable love of Father, Son, and Spirit actualized in those moments. Grant that I may always hold that image in my mind and heart so they may lead my soul to life in You and claim the gift Christ died to give to me. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.