First Reading 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1If it is necessary (though certainly not expedient) to glory, then I will next tell of visions and revelations from the Lord.
2I know a man in Christ, who, more than fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows), was enraptured to the third heaven.
3And I know a certain man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows),
4who was enraptured into Paradise. And he heard words of mystery, which it is not permitted for man to speak.
5On behalf of someone like this, I will glory. But on behalf of myself, I will not glory about anything, except my infirmities.
6For even though I am willing to glory, I will not be foolish. But I will speak the truth. Yet I will do so sparingly, lest anyone may consider me to be anything more than what he sees in me, or anything more than what he hears from me.
7And lest the greatness of the revelations should extol me, there was given to me a prodding in my flesh: an angel of Satan, who struck me repeatedly.
8Because of this, three times I petitioned the Lord that it might be taken away from me.
9And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you. For virtue is perfected in weakness.” And so, willingly shall I glory in my weaknesses, so that the virtue of Christ may live within me.
10Because of this, I am pleased in my infirmity: in reproaches, in difficulties, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.
Catholic Public Domain Version
Read in the CPDV: The whole of 2 Corinthians 12