September 7, 2004.

Saturday of the 22nd week in ordinary time.

A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters,

learn from myself and Apollus not to go beyond what is written,

so that none of you will be inflated with pride,

in favor of one person over against another.

Who confers distinction upon you?

What do you possess that you have not received?

But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it? You are

already satisfied. You have already grown rich. You have become kings without us. Indeed,

I wish that you had become kings, so that we also might become kings with you.

For as I see it, God has exhibited us apostles as the last of all, like people sentenced

to death, since we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and men alike.

We are fools on Christ's account, but you are wise in Christ.

We are weak, but you are strong.

You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty. We are poorly clad and roughly treated. We wander about

homeless and we toil, working with our own hands. When ridiculed, we bless. When persecuted, we endure.

When slandered, we respond gently.

We have become like the world's rubbish, the scum of all, to this very moment.

I am writing you this not to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

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