Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew.
Polyeleos Feast. Nativity Fast.
1 Corinthians 4:9-16. Matthew 9:9-13.
Read 1 Corinthians 4:9-16
It was the Roman custom, after a military victory, to parade the spoils with the victorious returning soldiers marching through the streets to the cheers and accolades of people. Once these soldiers and the riches had passed by, at the end of the line were the prisoners of war, typically an image of pity, as they made their way through humiliation to the arena where they would be put to death as a spectacle to the audience.
This is the image that St. Paul is using to describe the way the world sees true apostles. The Corinthian Christians had become self-righteous and conceited, whereas St. Paul highlights the inevitable connection between suffering and preaching the truth. “We are weak, but you are strong…we are held in honour and we in disrepute.” Paul’s biting sarcasm here is meant to shake his flock out of the self-righteous attitude they have assumed and return them to their state of humility and true witness to the suffering Christ.
As we begin the St. Philiip’s Fast let us take the opportunity to practice our ‘no’ to self that we may strengthen our ‘yes’ to Christ, denying worldly success and comfort in order to process with our Crucified Lord.
St. Ambrose writes:
Paul was worthy to be watched by angels as he strove to win the prize of Christ, as he struggled to establish the life of angels on earth and confound the wickedness of angels in heaven. For he wrestled with spiritual wickedness. Rightly did the world watch him, to follow his example. (Episcopal Election at Vercellae)