Today, I had the honor and privilege of sitting in on the Women's Bible Study for Young Adults and Grad Students. It was fantastic, and I wish I had more time to go than just today and next week.
It was a great time to hang out with other grounded women in the Catholic faith, but also to just feel comfortable with being who I am as part of that grounding. I finally felt like I met people with my same views in faith and life. It was awesome to feel that way within a few minutes of me being there. I am glad that everyone was so happy to have me, and even know that I would not be staying long. Sarah also made great Butterscotch muffins, which made me smile!
We were studying the last chapter of the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. As hard as it is to follow the message jumping in, I tried to recall that one busy summer of Scripture study in 2009 and what I remembered about Second Corinthians. The last chapter is sort of a warning in a way, but also a reminder within that warning.
Verses 5 to 10: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, of course, you fail the test. I hope you will discover that we have not failed. But we pray to God that you may not do evil, not that we may appear to have passed the test but that you may do what is right, even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong. What we pray for is your improvement. I am writing this while I am away, so that when I come I may not have to be severe in virtue of the authority that the Lord has given me to build up and not to tear down."
I think in this passage I really reflected on three things. The first, is that we must always test ourselves constantly to see how we live with Christ in us, and always strive for that, even though we may seem to fail. The second, is that the truth is always the strongest and will always prevail. If we do anything to prove it otherwise, we only strengthen that truth. The third, is that we all have it within us to build up others or tear them down, and it's important to always try to build them up, just as Paul wants to do. Sometimes tearing down is the only way to rebuild, but as long as it is done with love, then it is okay.
How does that fit into my life? I always want the best for everyone around me. I want to build up as many as possible in the faith, and I want that truth of God's love to prevail in that love. I have to find a balance of building up and tearing down, not only as it applies to others, but in myself. I have to test myself too, to make sure I am walking in the light. It's not easy, but it is what is right.
One fun night of Bible Study with great women, with lot's of hugs, and greetings of comfort (as described in verses 11-13), and one of the many things that I was thankful for this day.
