Treasure in Earthen Vessels – The Mission of the Fragile

2Cor 4:7-15; Psalm: 115; Lk 10,1-9

Dear friends and beloved community, today’s readings remind us that we hold treasure in earthen vessels, a beautiful paradox that speaks to both our fragility and our calling. In 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 7 to 15, the Apostle Paul writes about this treasure, emphasizing that it is not our strength or perfection that reveals God’s glory, but rather our weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

 Why fragility? Why does God choose to place his treasure in vessels that are so easily broken? The answer lies in the reality of suffering. Each of us carries scars, stories of pain and heartache. Yet it is through these cracks that the light of Christ shines the brightest. Our struggles do not disqualify us from being used by God. Instead, they qualify us to share His grace. We carry the death of Jesus in our bodies, but we also carry His life. In our moments of despair, we find hope. In our weakness, His strength is made perfect.

As we embrace our fragility, we are called to proclaim faith, hope, and the love of Christ. Our lives become testimonies of resilience and grace, inviting others to experience the same. When we share our stories, we reveal the treasure within us. We show the world that even in our brokenness, there is beauty. We show that God’s power is at work in us, transforming our suffering into something redemptive.

Now let us turn to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, where Jesus sends out His disciples as lambs among wolves. The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. This is a call to action for all of us. We are not merely recipients of God’s grace; we are His ambassadors in a world that desperately needs to hear His message. As fragile vessels, we are sent not in our own strength but in radical dependence on God. Being sent as lambs reminds us of our need for one another and for God. We are not to rely on our own wisdom or resources.

Instead, we lean into the promise that God will provide what we need for the mission ahead. It is in this radical dependence that we find our true strength. We go forward not with arrogance, but with humility, recognizing that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. The message we carry is a message of peace, healing, and hope. We are called to proclaim the kingdom of God, to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. Our lives should reflect the love and compassion of Christ. We must be willing to go where He sends us, to speak His truth, and to share His love.

So, I urge you today to embrace your vessel. Acknowledge the treasure within you and let it shine. Pray for laborers to join us on this mission. Go forth in dependence on God, trusting in His provision. And let your life and your words proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. As we leave this place, may we remember that our fragility does not diminish our value. Instead, it magnifies the greatness of the treasure we carry. We are fragile bearers of the kingdom, entrusted with a mission that can change the world. Let us go forth in faith, hope, and love, for the glory of God. Amen.

St. Paul of the Cross expressed this well: “The more worthless you are, the more God wants you as the instrument of His great works, because His power shines forth more brilliantly in weak instruments.”

Pope Benedict XVI reflected: “The treasure of the new covenant is… contained in the fragile vessels of our humanity. Precisely in this contrast, the greatness of God’s power appears, which does not abandon us in our weakness but transforms us.” (Angelus, June 17, 2012).

St. Teresa of Avila understood this: “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours… Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.” St. Peter Canisius reminds us: “If you have too much to do, with God’s help you will find time to do it all.”