Faith Over Eloquence

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, February 8th, 2026:
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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1 Corinthians
​2.1-5

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

​Pause. Pray. Reflect.

​Church is fancy.

Scripture is tricky to translate. Mass itself is formal in its ritual; sometimes it is celebrated in Latin. Am I out of my depth? Yes. Often.

But, I do love a good speaker. In the past I have even gotten caught up in the compelling delivery of a message and lost track of the meaning altogether. Holding an audience captive in a story like that is a gift, one that I admire. I would love to possess the ability to communicate so beautifully.

In January 2023, I signed up for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and was baptized during the Easter Vigil that same year. During the first few OCIA classes, I wondered if the ability to speak about Jesus would ever come naturally to me. The program leaders asked a question early on: "How do you know Jesus is real?" I remember my response: “I believe He is.” Not so eloquent or insightful. Certainly not the educated words I would expect of a “disciple.”

I believe Jesus is the Way. He is the Truth. And He is the Light. I believe deep in my bones that He is all of these things. If you asked me, I would tell you He carries the weight of my challenges, anger, and frustration. Through the Holy Spirit, He guides me to peace every time I ask Him to; He draws my attention to the beauty of the world, and He blesses me with genuine friends to join me on my path.

He is everywhere.

I cannot quote scripture on demand; I cannot hold an audience captive with storytelling. But I can tell you the difference He has made in my life and in the lives of some of my sisters in Christ.

This was Paul’s way — a way I understand. It is simple, straightforward, and from the heart. Paul shares "heart knowledge": the basics of Jesus Christ’s journey to resurrection. What Jesus did for us is all we need to know.

He. Died. To. Save. Us.

No fancy words needed. He loves us that much. He healed the sick, put others before Himself, and washed the feet of His twelve disciples. And He died a cruel death just to save us — to save us so we would have the opportunity to be forgiven. I think I would have liked to hear Paul speaking to the people of Corinth in this way. With his plain language, I think I would have hung on every simple word.


Jacinda Whebby

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