Deeper thought and our first impressions

The advice given today in the texts from the Roman CatholicLectionary can be appreciated in two ways. When we read the message and greeting of praise from Paul in the passage from the first letter to the Corinthians we acquire an image of a community which is gifted in speech and knowledge of Christ which is waiting in peace for the return of Christ. Perhaps people looking at our Christian community may say the same things. Friar JudeWinkler tells us some of the history of the involvement of Paul with this community. The problem which Paul is addressing in this letter may be related to what he is not saying in his greeting. The pagan converts in Corinth were apparently bringing earlier spiritual ideas to their understanding of the Holy Spirit. Paul mentions gifts in the community which are normally attributed to the Spirit and he credits Christ with them. We might ask ourselves “What is the difference?” Will God be offended if we get the credit wrong? The need we have is to explore the awesome mystery of the Divine Presence, Father, Son and Spirit, with the best tools, experiences and tradition. We are not true to the pursuit of Wisdom and intimacy when we accept “our understanding” of the Great Mystery. The Gospel of Matthew points to the final days and the judgement. The understanding of the early Church which impacted the language of the texts and instructions to the faithful was that Jesus was returning to begin the “end times” during their life time. The advice for an expected return of Jesus “any day now” is a perspective for modern people which we can use to prepare for our personal reunion with Jesus at death. When we live the day as if it is our last in finite time, we may attend to good living and we may be over attentive to our own position of unworthiness which ironically may cause us to be in neglect of those for whom we are called to live, in this time.  Father Robert Barron has referred to the Christian calling to be “both/and”. We are in the world and not of the world at the same time.