Paul realizes that the Letter to the Corinthians must not be based on “Greek wisdom” but on the counter cultural message of Jesus Cross.
* [2:4] Among many manuscript readings here the best is either “not with the persuasion of wisdom” or “not with persuasive words of wisdom,” which differ only by a nuance. Whichever reading is accepted, the inefficacy of human wisdom for salvation is contrasted with the power of the cross.In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus challenges the expectations of the worshipers in his home synagogue by declaring His mission as a prophet to bring life to the Gentiles.
* [4:16–30] Luke has transposed to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry an incident from his Marcan source, which situated it near the end of the Galilean ministry (Mk 6:1–6a). In doing so, Luke turns the initial admiration (Lk 4:22) and subsequent rejection of Jesus (Lk 4:28–29) into a foreshadowing of the whole future ministry of Jesus. Moreover, the rejection of Jesus in his own hometown hints at the greater rejection of him by Israel (Acts 13:46).Tom Purcell comments that Jesus challenges His listeners then, and now, to look beyond their (and our) own preconceived ideas about salvation and charity and to see with open eyes and hearts and minds our fellow pilgrims in this life.
What would Jesus say and do? Are we strong enough to answer that question truthfully and to follow His example? Can we resist the cacophony of culture to be focused on ourselves instead of reaching out to others? Can we follow the examples of Elijah and Elisha and bring solace to those outside our own circles and countries? Can we see ourselves as part of a community that is more than our family and clan and tribe? Can we forgive the debts of others and share our surplus with those in need regardless of who they are and where they live?Christopher McCauley of Stillpoint: The Center for Christian Spirituality, and Daniel P. Horan discuss the Spiritual Life and Work of Francis of Assisi and Thomas Merton and the “divine spark” in Franciscan Theology and in the True Self of Thomas Merton. (About half way through the interview).
And so my prayer today is for the gift of simple sight – the sight of a trusting child, that is not clouded by prejudices and uncertainties and biases, but pure in seeing the divine spark that resides in each of us as a gift from our Creator.
Don Schwager quotes Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD) “By reading Isaiah, Jesus shows he is God and Man”.
"Now it was necessary that he should manifest himself to the Israelites and that the mystery of his incarnation should now shine forth to those who did not know him. Now that God the Father had anointed him to save the world, he very wisely orders this also [that his fame should now spread widely]. This favor he grants first to the people of Nazareth, because, humanly speaking, he had grown up among them. Having entered the synagogue, therefore, he takes the book to read. Having opened it, he selects a passage in the Prophets which declares the mystery concerning him. By these words he himself tells us very clearly by the voice of the prophet that he would both be made man and come to save the world. For we affirm that the Son was anointed in no other way than by having become like us according to the flesh and taking our nature. Being at once God and man, he both gives the Spirit to the creation in his divine nature and receives it from God the Father in his human nature. It is he who sanctifies the whole creation, both by shining forth from the Holy Father and by bestowing the Spirit. He himself pours forth his own Spirit on the powers above and on those who recognized his appearing. (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 12)The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 shares that God is pleased when we use our gifts to build his Church, but that doesn’t mean he loves us any more than before. Intelligence, strength, and other abilities are simply attributes God expects us to develop and put to good use.
St. Paul makes this point in today’s first reading. Pointing to his own story, he tells the Corinthians that he came to them aware of his weaknesses so that the “power of God” might be revealed (1 Corinthians 2:5). Now, Paul had many gifts: he himself was strong, intelligent, persuasive, and steadfast. But he also had his fair share of negative qualities. He had a short temper, he sometimes didn’t get along with the other disciples, and his zeal for the gospel could sometimes get the better of him. But despite his weaknesses—and despite his strengths—what really mattered when he came to Corinth was his reliance on the “power of God,” on the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:5).A Post by Franciscan Media about Saint Gregory the Great, Saint of the Day for September 3, notes that Gregory’s description of bishops as physicians fits in well with Pope Francis’ description of the Church as a “field hospital.”
Gregory was direct and firm. He removed unworthy priests from office, forbade taking money for many services, emptied the papal treasury to ransom prisoners of the Lombards and to care for persecuted Jews and the victims of plague and famine. He was very concerned about the conversion of England, sending 40 monks from his own monastery. He is known for his reform of the liturgy, and for strengthening respect for doctrine.Friar Jude Winkler notes the fear and tremulation of Paul as he spoke the wisdom of the Cross to the Corinthians instead of Stoic philosophy as in Athens. Jesus is the Jubilee. Citing Elijah and Elisha shows Jesus is already reaching for the pagans, the audience for Luke’s Gospel.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, observes that values like nonparticipation in war, simple living, inclusivity, and love of enemies could be more easily understood when Christians were gathering secretly in the catacombs, when their faith was untouched by empire, rationalization, and compromise.
The failing Roman Empire needed an emperor, and Jesus was used to fill the power gap. In effect, we Christians took Jesus out of the Trinity and made him into God on a throne. An imperial system needs law and order and clear belonging systems more than it wants mercy, meekness, or transformation. Much of Jesus’ teaching about simple living, nonviolence, inclusivity, and love of enemies became incomprehensible. Relationship—the shape of God as Trinity—was no longer as important. Christianity’s view of God changed: the Father became angry and distant, Jesus was reduced to an organizing principle, and for all practical and dynamic purposes, the Holy Spirit was forgotten.The expectations we hold for religion and our relationship with God are shaped by our understanding of historical events and our experience with people in positions of power in our Church structures. Our true experience of fullness of life is in living in relationship with Jesus.
References
(n.d.). 1 Corinthians 2:9. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/1corinthians2.htm
(n.d.). Luke chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/4:85
(n.d.). Online Ministries Home Page - Creighton University. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/preparing.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/
(n.d.). 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved September 3, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Saint Gregory the Great – Franciscan Media. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-gregory-the-great/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/
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