Each one of us, for sure, has stories or quotations from Holy Scripture that are very special.

They may be linked to personal needs or simply to moments of personal enlightenment. They remain within our subconscious but emerge from time to time to remind us of their wisdom and resourcefulness.

From today’s readings, I like to suggest a couple of examples. In Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians, our second reading, Paul shares a special moment with us.

Paul was a no-nonsense man who excelled in many areas of his life, but in this morning’s reading he shares with us a moment of deep learning in which he learns to be understanding and compassionate toward himself:

“My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.”

Imagine the relief in Paul who was struggling to overcome his problem through his own effort.

There is a whole new understanding of how grace works. You can hear this clearly in his own comment:

“I shall be happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me . . . For it is when I am weak that I am strong.”

Could it be that we too have had to learn the same lesson?

I would imagine so.

Another example of enlightenment for us from today’s readings is in the response of Jesus to the resistance he suffered from those with whom he grew up:

“A prophet is only despised in his own country among his own relations and in his own house.”

“He was amazed at their lack of faith.”

What might be our own experience of the truth of these words?