"Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth...you are God's field, God's building." I Cor 3: 7, 9
Division in any community or family is discouraging at best and seriously destructive at worst. St Paul knew this and when he experienced deep divisions in the church at Corinth he did everything he could to address them. It also seems clear that these divisions worried him, not only because they were counter to the spirit of the Gospel, but because the community at Corinth was very small, and Paul was afraid it would shatter.
All of this makes it important to attend to and pray about the divisions in the church in the United States today. More and more people, hurt and angry about what appears to them either as a turning away from the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, or a refusal to be faithful to the teaching magisterium of the church, are sharply divided over many issues from the treatment of women to the role of the church in politics.
Underneath all these divisions, however, is the question of the legitimate power and authority of the bishops, and it seems that Paul's reminder today might help all. If we are God's field, God's building, then bishops, priests, religious and laity need to work together against divisions that pit us against one another unnecessarily. Finding common ground and working together on projects that foster the common good and justice in the world might be a good place to start.
Today, give God an opportunity to give you growth by letting go of something that divides you from other believers.
What is the proper role of authority in the church?
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Spread the News
"News of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region." Lk 4:37
Sometimes the gospels make Jesus sound like a contemporary rock star. When something good or bad happens to Bruce Springsteen or Jay-Z, the word spreads like wild fire. Fans follow their heroes' blogs and twitter posts like young people years ago followed baseball players' statistics, but it is all empty knowledge. No one suggests that it isn't fun or interesting, but it is not important as a Gospel value.
News spread quickly about Jesus because he spoke with a power people did not expect him to have and a freedom from fear that startled those who heard him. Often critical of the leadership within his own community, he challenged everyone to reform their lives and live the Torah not just talk about it.
More important, he became the voice of the poor. Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, it was not difficult for people to wonder why anyone would listen to him, but the poor knew him to be on their side and to promise them that salvation was not a reward for being faithful to the Torah but a free gift to all who handed their lives over to God, and committed themselves to the service of others as witness to the God who serves us all.
Today, spread the news of the One who sets us free.
From whom do you hear the Good News most naturally?
Sometimes the gospels make Jesus sound like a contemporary rock star. When something good or bad happens to Bruce Springsteen or Jay-Z, the word spreads like wild fire. Fans follow their heroes' blogs and twitter posts like young people years ago followed baseball players' statistics, but it is all empty knowledge. No one suggests that it isn't fun or interesting, but it is not important as a Gospel value.
News spread quickly about Jesus because he spoke with a power people did not expect him to have and a freedom from fear that startled those who heard him. Often critical of the leadership within his own community, he challenged everyone to reform their lives and live the Torah not just talk about it.
More important, he became the voice of the poor. Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, it was not difficult for people to wonder why anyone would listen to him, but the poor knew him to be on their side and to promise them that salvation was not a reward for being faithful to the Torah but a free gift to all who handed their lives over to God, and committed themselves to the service of others as witness to the God who serves us all.
Today, spread the news of the One who sets us free.
From whom do you hear the Good News most naturally?
Sunday, September 2, 2012
St. Gregory the Great
"You faith might rest not on human wisdom, but on the power of God." 1 Cor 2:5
Paul's words to the church in Corinth are as important today as they were when they were first written, and we can find evidence for this in the life of almost every saint. Gregory the Great wanted only to be a monk, to live a quiet life of prayer and work, but God had other plans. Because he did not seek the office of bishop or pope, his reflections about these offices in the church become even more important.
Reminding bishops that they should think of themselves first as physicians whose only concern is the health of their patients, he writes, "A religious leader should be careful in deciding when to remain silent and be sure to say something useful when deciding to speak. In this way he will avoid saying things that would be better not said, or leaving unsaid things that ought to be said." (Pastoral Care)
Learning when to speak and when to keep silent is a lifetime challenge, especially for those who have authority in families and churches. All of us would do well to listen to St. Gregory. Not only would we avoid silly and unnecessary disputes, we would allow people time to step away from divisive language and attitudes. What a gift that would be in today's world and church!
Today, if you are unsure of what to say, say nothing.
Who has taught you most by their patient silence?
Paul's words to the church in Corinth are as important today as they were when they were first written, and we can find evidence for this in the life of almost every saint. Gregory the Great wanted only to be a monk, to live a quiet life of prayer and work, but God had other plans. Because he did not seek the office of bishop or pope, his reflections about these offices in the church become even more important.
Reminding bishops that they should think of themselves first as physicians whose only concern is the health of their patients, he writes, "A religious leader should be careful in deciding when to remain silent and be sure to say something useful when deciding to speak. In this way he will avoid saying things that would be better not said, or leaving unsaid things that ought to be said." (Pastoral Care)
Learning when to speak and when to keep silent is a lifetime challenge, especially for those who have authority in families and churches. All of us would do well to listen to St. Gregory. Not only would we avoid silly and unnecessary disputes, we would allow people time to step away from divisive language and attitudes. What a gift that would be in today's world and church!
Today, if you are unsure of what to say, say nothing.
Who has taught you most by their patient silence?
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Freedom from Rigidity
"Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile." Mk 7:15
It must have been shocking and upsetting for the Pharisees and scribes to hear Jesus assert that only that which comes from within defiles a person. In fact, it is difficult for most of us to hear the great challenge of Jesus to put aside our desire to control ourselves and others with a rigid interpretation of the law. Jesus insists that salvation is not about discipline alone, but about asking God to cleanse our hearts of jealousy, resentment and suspicion of others.
More important still is whether we are willing to help others worry less about how they appear and more about the integrity of their faith lives. St Jerome says it well, "I bid you not to tear your garments but rather to rend your hearts which are laden with sin. Like wine skins, unless they have been cut open, they will burst of their own accord."(St Jerome on Joel)
Most believers know the truth of the gospel from the "inside." They realize that what appears to be a faith filled life is empty unless it reflects an interior commitment to live without guile. When each of us admits that a life of ritual rigidity and lawful integrity is hardly good news, we will begin to announce the gospel as Jesus did.
Today, don't be afraid of an honest self examination.
How do you resist an unhealthy dependence on the law as a substitute for gospel living?
It must have been shocking and upsetting for the Pharisees and scribes to hear Jesus assert that only that which comes from within defiles a person. In fact, it is difficult for most of us to hear the great challenge of Jesus to put aside our desire to control ourselves and others with a rigid interpretation of the law. Jesus insists that salvation is not about discipline alone, but about asking God to cleanse our hearts of jealousy, resentment and suspicion of others.
More important still is whether we are willing to help others worry less about how they appear and more about the integrity of their faith lives. St Jerome says it well, "I bid you not to tear your garments but rather to rend your hearts which are laden with sin. Like wine skins, unless they have been cut open, they will burst of their own accord."(St Jerome on Joel)
Most believers know the truth of the gospel from the "inside." They realize that what appears to be a faith filled life is empty unless it reflects an interior commitment to live without guile. When each of us admits that a life of ritual rigidity and lawful integrity is hardly good news, we will begin to announce the gospel as Jesus did.
Today, don't be afraid of an honest self examination.
How do you resist an unhealthy dependence on the law as a substitute for gospel living?
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