Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
What are the requirements for being an apostle? Did apostles have to have seen the Lord and walked with him in his public life? Paul had not. Were not the apostles supposed to depend on their now converts for room and board, since the laborer deserved
his pay? Paul had others providing for upkeep. Did not the apostles have wives, but Paul apparently did not? Did not the successful preachers hobnob with the wealthy, whereas Paul preferred to be identified with the poor elements of society. If Paul were an apostle, he would certainly be a weird one.
Paul had a defense. He had an obligation to preach, not to get rich, but to fulfill an obligation. This meant that he should not be paid for his preaching.
If he catered to the poor, it was because he had to present the gospel to all people, rich and poor. The poor, on one hand, had to see their face in the gospel, not just the face of the rich people. For this reason, Paul showed them the face of the poor Christ.
Corinth used to host the biennial Isthmian games. The Corinthians knew all about running races to win. Paul was running to win, boxing for real. Whether the Corinthians believed him or not, Paul was in the race, in the competition, in order to win. What people thought of Paul did not matter in the long run, but the Corinthians should have figured out that Paul was their Christian winner and champion.
Paul was an apostle, no matter what some were saying. We are called to be apostles; what signs do we show for this?