The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to awareness of the impact of individual sinful acts on the spiritual health of the community.
The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians shares how sexual immorality defiles the Church.
* [5:1–13] Paul first deals with the incestuous union of a man with his stepmother (1 Cor 5:1–8) and then attempts to clarify general admonitions he has given about associating with fellow Christians guilty of immorality (1 Cor 5:9–13). Each of these three brief paragraphs expresses the same idea: the need of separation between the holy and the unholy.
* [5:2] Inflated with pride: this remark and the reference to boasting in 1 Cor 5:6 suggest that they are proud of themselves despite the infection in their midst, tolerating and possibly even approving the situation. The attitude expressed in 1 Cor 6:2, 13 may be influencing their thinking in this case.
* [5:5] Deliver this man to Satan: once the sinner is expelled from the church, the sphere of Jesus’ lordship and victory over sin, he will be in the region outside over which Satan is still master. For the destruction of his flesh: the purpose of the penalty is medicinal: through affliction, sin’s grip over him may be destroyed and the path to repentance and reunion laid open. With Paul’s instructions for an excommunication ceremony here, contrast his recommendations for the reconciliation of a sinner in 2 Cor 2:5–11.
* [5:6] A little yeast: yeast, which induces fermentation, is a natural symbol for a source of corruption that becomes all-pervasive. The expression is proverbial. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)
Psalm 5 implores trust in God for deliverance from enemies.
* [Psalm 5] A lament contrasting the security of the house of God (Ps 5:8–9, 12–13) with the danger of the company of evildoers (Ps 5:5–7, 10–11). The psalmist therefore prays that God will hear (Ps 5:2–4) and grant the protection and joy of the Temple. (Psalms, PSALM 5, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus heals the man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.
* [6:1–11] The two episodes recounted here deal with gathering grain and healing, both of which were forbidden on the sabbath. In his defense of his disciples’ conduct and his own charitable deed, Jesus argues that satisfying human needs such as hunger and performing works of mercy take precedence even over the sacred sabbath rest. See also notes on Mt 12:1–14 and Mk 2:25–26. (Luke, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)
Suzanne Braddock comments that Jesus simply heals, despite knowing that this will enrage the scribes and Pharisees, perhaps setting in motion the ultimate plot to kill him. She is struck with the simplicity of Jesus, cutting through the situation with few words, just the clear action of compassion despite the risk of personal danger.
I heard his words as if they were addressed to me personally. An invitation to come up and stand before him. To offer whatever is withered in me – my lukewarmness, my lack of faith, my self-preoccupation, my lack of charity , any illness of mind, body or spirit– and present these for his healing. To save life rather than destroy it. For, as Saint Mother Teresa often said, with God nothing is impossible.
Loving Father, I stand before you and hold out what is withered in me for your love and healing. May I be courageous in the exercise of compassion. Amen (Braddock, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus heals to teach the Pharisees mercy,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The miracle sometimes converts to faith those who had disbelieved the word, but the Pharisees watched him to see if he would heal on the sabbath. The nature of an envious person is such that he makes the praises of others food for his own disease and is wickedly maddened by their reputation. Once more he spoke to this; 'he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him' (Daniel 2:22). And why did he do this? Perhaps it might be to move the cruel and unpitying Pharisee to compassion. The man's malady [his withered hand] perhaps might shame them and persuade them to dispel the flames of their envy.
"This question is most wise indeed and a most suitable statement to meet their folly. If it is lawful to do good on the sabbath and nothing prevents the sick being pitied by God, cease picking up opportunities for fault-finding against Christ and bringing down on your own head the sentence which the Father has decreed against those who dishonor the Son. You have heard the Father where he says of the Son by the voice of David, 'I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him' (Psalm 89:23). But if it is not lawful to do good on the sabbath and the law forbids the saving of life, you have made yourself an accuser of the law." (quote from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 23). (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 comments that in today’s first reading, St. Paul uses the analogy of yeast to describe sin. He is warning the Corinthians that if they tolerate sin among their members—like the incest that Paul refers to in this passage—they risk infecting the entire community. And so he tells them to clear out the “old yeast” of sin so that they can become the “unleavened bread” of holiness (1 Corinthians 5:7, 8).
We all know how difficult it can be to break free from sin. Sometimes it takes years, or even a lifetime. But don’t give up! Keep working to clear out the old yeast so that you can become the unleavened bread that God has called you to be.
“Jesus, I want to be pure, unleavened bread for you. Help me to root out the sin in my life.” (Meditation on 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Corinth dealt with the problems of sexual immorality like many port cities of that time. Paul sought to expel the immoral man for the good of the community, the good of outsiders to know that Christians stand for something, and the good of the man to confront his sinfulness. Friar Jude reminds us that our compassionate action may be met by the cynicism that Jesus received from the Pharisees.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that for author and depth psychologist Carol Pearson, the Fisher King is an archetype connected to inner places of suffering and longing.
Many times in our lives, we find ourselves in the position of the Fisher King. Something is not right. We feel wounded, disconnected from ourselves, and our kingdoms reflect our inner state. Often, we do not initially notice our own wounding; we just find ourselves unhappy with our lives. Answers that previously worked for us no longer serve. . . .
The part of us that is fragmented, split, and wounded—that knows of the splendor of the Soul, but cannot connect that splendor with our everyday lives—is the Fisher King. The young knight [Parsifal in the Germanic version] is the seeker in each of us, yearning for the Grail [DM team: the soul, our True Selves]. The Grail offers the capacity for renewal, forgiveness, and transformation. It also is within us. [1] Rohr, 2022)
Father Richard speaks of what is required when we find ourselves in such suffering.
The journey to happiness involves finding the courage to go down into ourselves and to take responsibility for what’s there. All of it. This means looking at the self without flinching, owning up to whatever wreckage we find, while also acknowledging that there are some promises and some energy there.
The aim is to experience the fact that everything belongs—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Often this is hard—especially coming to terms with the ugly—and may take living a while. When I was almost fifty, I began to realize that more clearly. I could see myself better. At twenty-five, I had no strong sense that everything belonged, but it did, and it does. [RR: Now, at seventy-nine, I guess I am ready to believe and even trust that “everything belongs.” It has become my motto and my mantra.] (Rohr, 2022)
We as members of the Body of Christ are called to the compassionate action modeled by Jesus towards people in need knowing that our individual charity helps present our faith community favourably to others.
References
Braddock, S. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/090522.html
Luke, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?6
Meditation on 1 Corinthians 5:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/09/05/482693/
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/5
Psalms, PSALM 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/5?5
Rohr, R. (2022, September 5). The Fisher King — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-fisher-king-2022-09-05/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Is It Lawful to Save Life or to Destroy It? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=sep5
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