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Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 2:1–5
Paul came to Corinth after Athens.
In Athens, he had spoken to philosophers and educated people.
He had tried to meet them on their own ground.
He spoke about the one God,
about creation,
about human searching,
and about Jesus’ resurrection.
Some listened.
Some laughed.
Some walked away.
Only a few believed.
Perhaps that is why Paul arrived in Corinth in weakness,
fear,
and trembling.
He began, as usual, in the synagogue.
Again, there was opposition.
Again, he had to move elsewhere.
Again, the Gospel had to begin in a fragile place.
But in Corinth, after apparent failure in Athens, Paul made a decision.
He would not rely on impressive words.
He would not build faith on clever arguments.
He would not try to win people by human wisdom.
He says:
I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
And from that fragile beginning, God formed a community.
The first Christians could express their faith very simply:
Jesus Christ is Lord.
That was enough to change their allegiance.
Not Caesar.
Not empire.
Not fear.
Not death.
But Jesus.
Later, the sign of the fish carried the same faith:
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
The Church’s catechesis would unfold this faith through creed,
sacraments,
moral life,
and prayer.
But at the center there is always the same proclamation:
God loves us.
We are sinners.
Jesus Christ died and rose for us.
We are called to repent,
to receive the Holy Spirit,
and to live in the Church.
Paul says that his preaching was a demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
This power was not merely miracles.
It was the power to change a human heart.
At Pentecost, Peter said:
God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
The people were cut to the heart.
They repented.
They were baptized.
They received the Holy Spirit.
That is God’s power.
The Gospel entering the heart and making a new life possible.
Faith is gift.
It begins when God’s love touches the heart.
So today, we return to the center:
Jesus Christ,
and Him crucified.
He is our wisdom.
He is our power.
He is the love that saves.
This week, do not try first to impress.
Bear witness.
Say it simply with your words and with your life:
Jesus Christ is Lord.
Biblical Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew
Scripture Attribution
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition,
copyright © 1989, 1993
the 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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© 2025 Krakus.
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