FOOLED YOU
The Pharisees considered themselves wise, but Jesus called them "fools" (Lk 11:40). The apostle Paul said: "If any one of you thinks he is wise in a worldly way, he had better become a fool" (1 Cor 3:18). Consider the characteristics of various fools you have known, and then notice how Paul, also a Pharisee like Jesus' hearers in today's Gospel (Phil 3:5), became a fool on Christ's account (1 Cor 4:10):
- Fools make rash statements (Sir 21:26; Acts 13:9-12).
- Fools don't carefully consider all the things that can go wrong with their plans; they boldly and impulsively leap out into the unknown (Sir 21:22; Acts 16:9-10).
- Fools take incredible risks (Prv 10:23; Acts 21:11-14).
- Fools are vulnerable to failure (Prv 14:3; Acts 22:21-22).
- Fools don't have a backup plan mapped out. In fact, they never think of failure (Prv 14:16; Acts 14:8-10).
- If they are convinced that their course of action is correct, fools don't often stop to consider if they are qualified for what they are about to do (Prv 12:15; Acts 9:28-30).
Paul knew that he was called to "grow to the full maturity of Christ" (Eph 4:15) and that he also was to be a fool for Christ (1 Cor 4:10). "God's folly is wiser than men" (1 Cor 1:25). For Christ's sake, "become a fool" (1 Cor 3:18).
Oración: Father, may I care so much about what others think of You that I don't care at all what they think of me.
Promesa: "It was for liberty that Christ freed us. So stand firm, and do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time!" —Gal 5:1
Alabanza: John has learned to live the Scripture: "Better is one day in Your courts, O Lord, than a thousand elsewhere" (see Ps 84:11).
Referencia: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescripto: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 6, 2010
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