Memorial of
St. Gregory the Great, pope
(I Corinthians 3:1-9; Luke 4:38-44)
At one parish there was an increasingly bitter rivalry
between the Guadalupanas (the Sodality of Our Lady of Guadalupe) and the
Carmelitas (the Sodality of Our Lady of Mount Carmel). Each would contend that they were the best
women group in the parish and began to shun members of the other group. The pastor noting the un-Christ like behavior
had the women serve each other. On July
16, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Guadalupanas would serve
breakfast to the Carmelitas. Of course
the courtesy was reciprocated on December 12.
In today’s first reading Paul similarly tries to stem the rivalries brewing
in Corinth.
After spending over a year with the Corinthians, Paul knows
that they have been instructed well. He
has preached, modeled, and taught unity in Christ. He naturally becomes
disappointed when they break down into factions like all their neighbors. He must remind them that they are different
from other groups because they have been molded by Christ into his body. In him
there is no place rivalry.
Life in Christ makes us a new creation. We are to leave behind thinking of ourselves
as better than others. We should know
more form bands that rival one another than one of our arms would compete with
the other for a place of honor. Christ
has made us one in love reflecting the love of him and his Father.
