The Holy Wonderworker and Equal-to-the-Apostles Abercius, Bishop of Hieropolis (c. 200)
2 Corinthians 1:8-11; Luke 5:27-32
Read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
We don’t know historically what the affliction that St. Paul is referring to in Asia. However, it’s possible that he is alluding to the riot in Ephesus which is related in Acts 19:23-20:1. Whatever the case may be, St. Paul is not discouraged to such a degree that he despairs of life. Even though it appears that he has “received a sentence of death,” Paul views this trial as a learning opportunity to trust more in the Lord and less on himself.
How do you respond to the trials of our current time? As difficult as your circumstances may be, do you see them as a learning experience for your growth in Christ, or as a situation which separates you from Him? The more we deny ourselves, the more we can put on Christ.
St. Basil the Great comments:
Perfect renunciation, therefore, consists in not having an affection for this life and keeping before our minds the “answer of death, that we should not trust in ourselves.” But a beginning is made by detaching oneself from all external goods: property, vainglory, life in society, useless desires, after the example of the Lord’s holy disciples. James and John left their father Zebedee and the very boat upon which their whole livelihood depended. Matthew left his counting house and followed the Lord, not merely leaving behind the profits of his occupation but also paying no attention to the dangers which were sure to befall both himself and his family at the hands of the magistrates because he had left the tax accounts unfinished. To Paul, finally, the whole world was crucified, and he to the world. (Long Rules, 8)