[stephenkhoo]

It is natural for us to be afraid of the future. We all have anxieties about tomorrow. We are diffident when called to assume certain responsibilities or an office. We are not too sure whether we can do the job. We feel insecure and most of all, have low-self esteem. We lack confidence in ourselves. That is why many of us, when asked to take up a certain office or work, decline because we feel we are not good enough or that we cannot do it.

We need assurance. This was what Paul needed when he was in Corinth. He was facing the daunting task of proclaiming the gospel at Corinth because it was a notorious city. Being a commercial city, it shared all the sins present in any modern city. The people were living a life of pleasure and promiscuity; just like our world today. It is difficult to speak to people about God because they seek immediate gratification and sensual pleasures. How can we speak about fidelity in relationship to our young when the subtle messages in the mass media and our movies promote infidelity and promiscuous relationships, even in marriage, as an accepted norm in society? Our entertainment is riddled with lust, greed and self-indulgence disguised as ‘art’ and justified as ‘freedom of expression’! So what Paul was going through is the same challenge that Catholics, Christians and believers of other religions are facing; the amoralistic, individualistic and sensual gratification of society.