Monday, Aug. 11, 2014
Deacon Robert A. Banet
You look pretty contented, Charlie. What’s up?
Well, I’ve been reading St Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
So?
He says something that makes me sad and happy at the same time.
That’s really something. Tell me about it.
It’s Philippians 1, 16.
That’s chapter one, verse sixteen, right?
Gee, aren’t you the Bible scholar!
Wise guy! Go on.
St Paul talks about motives for preaching the Gospel. Some do it for the right reason and some do it to afflict him.
Afflict him?
Yes. He says, “to afflict me in my imprisonment.”
Wow! That is something. I had never noticed that before. But, tell how does that make you happy and glad at the same time?
It’s sad to hear that some preachers even in that time so close to the time of Jesus, were preaching from a bad motive.
Yes, I can feel that, too. It even makes me a little sad. But how does it make you happy?
This is kind of twisted but here goes. If even in those days some were acting in an unworthy manner, maybe if we find the same thing in our own time, we should not be discouraged.
Oh, I see. We can take comfort in that if there were unworthy Christians back then in the early days and the Church still survived, there’s surely hope for us when we find the same thing. Is that what you mean?
Yes. It’s kind of twisted but it makes sense.
I believe you’re right, Charlie. Thanks.