Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

 (I Corinthians 3:1-9; Luke 4:38-44)

In today’s first reading St. Paul addresses a division in the Christian community at Corinth.  He urges those who see themselves as disciples of Apollo and those who claim to be followers of Paul himself to end their rivalry.  In today’s Church there is evidence of a similar disunity.  Many Catholics consider themselves as conservative while others describe themselves as liberal or progressive.  The two sides also have their heroes.  St. John Paul II represents the conservative contingent, and Pope Francis is taken as the standard-bearer of the liberals.

Paul recognizes the foolishness of such division.  He accuses those who participate in the rivalry as “fleshy people,” no more than “infants” in the faith.  He desires that the community reimage itself as a whole that has been assisted be both himself and Apollo.  Finally, he exhorts all members to understand themselves as God’s children.

As much as we allow the conservative-liberal dichotomy to thrive, our gospel message will be weakened.  Certainly there are different mindsets among Church members.  However, on close inspection there are ways in which some conservatives share values more with liberals, and vice versa, than with their own cohorts.  More importantly, the common ground of both sectors is vast and differs significantly from secular territory.  For the sake of the gospel then and for the needed support we provide one another, we must strive to overcome division.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 3:1-9; Luke 4:38-44)

Although the Catholic Church claims to be one, a telling fissure appears on its surface.  Liberal and conservative Catholics criticize each other continuously.  Liberals believe that the Church must change if its teaching is to maintain credibility.  They see, for example, a married clergy as not only desirable but critical. Conservatives believe that most changes betray the tradition handed over through the centuries. They even frown on the revived customs of taking Holy Communion in the hand and from the chalice.  St. Paul provides a needed corrective of both sides in today’s first reading.

Paul calls the Corinthians “fleshly people” for creating divisions among themselves.  “Fleshly” appears to be the same quality as “natural” in yesterday’s passage.  It refers to living according to the animal desires of dominance and sensuality.  Even though they have been baptized into Christ, Paul sees them as no more Christ-like than ruthless warriors.  He urges the Corinthians to transcend their differences by seeing God as their all-encompassing life-force.  His compassion for all must be emulated.

We do well to follow Paul’s recommendations.  Of course, we are to pursue truth by making strong arguments for what we believe.  But even truth does not allow us to denigrate those who take different positions.  Most always there will be something to note with approval.  In this way that fissure threatening Church unity will soon disappear.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 3:1-9; Luke 4:38-44)

In today’s first reading St. Paul addresses a division in the Christian community at Corinth.  He urges those who see themselves as disciples of Apollo and those who claim to be followers of Paul himself to end their rivalry.  In today’s Church there is evidence of a similar disunity.  Many Catholics consider themselves as conservative while others describe themselves as liberal or progressive.  The two sides also have their heroes.  St. John Paul II represents the conservative contingent, and Pope Francis is taken as the standard-bearer of the liberals.

Paul recognizes the foolishness of such division.  He accuses those who participate in the rivalry as “fleshy people,” no more than “infants” in the faith.  He desires that the community reimage itself as a whole that has been assisted be both himself and Apollo.  Finally, he exhorts all members to understand themselves as God’s children.

As much as we allow the conservative-liberal dichotomy to thrive, our gospel message will be weakened.  Certainly there are different mindsets among Church members.  However, on close inspection there are ways in which some conservatives share values more with liberals, and vice versa, than with their own cohorts.  More importantly, the common ground of both sectors is vast and differs significantly from secular territory.  For the sake of the gospel then and for the needed support we provide one another, we must strive to overcome division.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

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.