1 Corinthians 1:18-31
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
John 1:9-14
Jesus Full of Grace and Truth
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Matthew 20:20-28
A Mother's Request
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
There is a certain foolishness in the story of Jesus and the Cross...
Yet, there is certain wisdom and beauty and foolishness in the description the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians...Paul gave some of the reasons why God reached out to the poor, the sick, the suffering, and the foolish ones who believed in Him...There is this beauty, foolishness, and wisdom in the story of Jesus...How could a Spoken Word (rhema) become flesh and make His dwelling among us?...And Who could make and give this Spoken Word the Authority above all men (the logos)?...Who could make Divine Reason and Divine Teaching by just speaking?...Sounds foolish that something like this could be done...
St. Paul found wisdom in this foolishness...He found strength in the midst of weakness...And St. Paul finds an understanding in how God’s Plan works with Jesus...No, Paul did not see these things at first...He was opposed to Jesus and His followers in the beginning...But then Saul saw the Light on the road to Damascus, and became a believer...And then he saw Jesus above all men...
St. Paul, a Pharisee and a student of the Old Testament, would find the Messiah in a foolish story about a virgin birth that was true, where wise men, teachers of the law, and philosophers could not see or recognize the story or the One full of grace and truth...There is this Great Paradox with Jesus, who called Himself a Servant, one who came to serve, and who would give His Life for many...In fact, His own did not receive Him...But He would become LORD of LORDS, and King of Kings...A believer as Paul was, he knew that there is more wisdom in God’s foolishness (if He had any foolishness) than in man’s greatest understandings, and there is more strength in God’s weaknesses (if He would have any) than in man’s greatest strength...