Eleventh Sunday after Trinity AD 2024

St. Paul, in today's Epistle, equates Christ's appearances to the apostles immediately after His resurrection with the revelation he himself received at his conversion. St. Paul writes: “And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”

This took place at least two or three years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. And after Paul had become a Christian, he spent a few years in Arabia and then another fourteen years in Tarsus before becoming a missionary at the encouragement of St. Barnabas. Paul’s decision to preach the gospel did not come easily and was preceded by deep reflection and inner preparation.

This helped Paul to understand what is most important. At the beginning of his First Epistle to the Corinthians, he says: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”

In today’s Epistle St. Paul adds: “Brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

This is exactly why Paul needed these sixteen years in solitude: to understand that it is not himself, his merits or wisdom that is important, but only Christ, the Crucified and Risen One. And that nothing but faith in Him will set us free and lead us to eternal life.