The paradox of Christian existence
"But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:7–10) Saint Paul’s words to the Corinthians reveal the paradox of Christian existence—frailty joined to divine strength, suffering woven with resurrection hope, and human weakness transformed into an instrument of divine glory. The “treasure” he refers to is the Gospel itself, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God made manifest in Christ. Yet this treasure is borne not by angels or perfected beings, but by fragile, fallible human beings—“earthen vessels.” The imagery evokes the contrast between the infinite value of the message and the humility of its messengers. It is precisely in...