9 June 2021

For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory! Indeed, what once had glory has lost its glory because of the greater glory; for if what was set aside came through glory, much more has the permanent come in glory!

2 Corinthians 3:4-11, NRSV

The dominant word in today’s reading is “glory”. In this letter, Paul frequently refers to the glorious task of being an apostle for Christ. At the beginning of this reading, Paul explains that he does not need the letters of reference that some of his opponents said he should have since the people of Corinth are the reference “written on his heart”. This leads Paul into reflecting on the difference between the Old Covenant of Moses (written on stone) and the new Covenant of Christ (written on people’s hearts). The Covenant agreed between Moses and God came about in a spectacular way with God speaking to Moses through a fire. When he descended from Mount Sinai, Moses’ face shone with such glory that the people could not look at him. However, this glory faded as time and again the people of Israel failed to keep to the Covenant. Paul sees the glory of the new Covenant as far greater – a glory than will never fade.

• • What do you think was glorious about Paul’s task?
  • How can we share in the glory that Paul speaks of?

Reflect on the ways in which God’s glory is seen and known.