The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to review our practice of “keeping the Sabbath” in the light of Jesus' example as revealed by the Spirit.
The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians proclaims Paul’s Life as Pattern of Fatherly Admonition.
* [4:6–21] This is an emotionally charged peroration to the discussion about divisions. It contains several exhortations and statements of Paul’s purpose in writing (cf. 1 Cor 4:6, 14–17, 21) that counterbalance the initial exhortation at 1 Cor 1:10.
* [4:6] That you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written: the words “to go” are not in the Greek, but have here been added as the minimum necessary to elicit sense from this difficult passage. It probably means that the Corinthians should avoid the false wisdom of vain speculation, contenting themselves with Paul’s proclamation of the cross, which is the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Old Testament (what is written). Inflated with pride: literally, “puffed up,” i.e., arrogant, filled with a sense of self-importance. The term is particularly Pauline, found in the New Testament only in 1 Cor 4:6, 18–19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4; Col 2:18 (cf. the related noun at 2 Cor 12:20). It sometimes occurs in conjunction with the theme of “boasting,” as in 1 Cor 4:6–7 here.
* [4:8] Satisfied…rich…kings: these three statements could also be punctuated as questions continuing the series begun in v. 7. In any case these expressions reflect a tendency at Corinth toward an overrealized eschatology, a form of self-deception that draws Paul’s irony. The underlying attitude has implications for the Corinthians’ thinking about other issues, notably morality and the resurrection, that Paul will address later in the letter.
* [4:9–13] A rhetorically effective catalogue of the circumstances of apostolic existence, in the course of which Paul ironically contrasts his own sufferings with the Corinthians’ illusion that they have passed beyond the folly of the passion and have already reached the condition of glory. His language echoes that of the beatitudes and woes, which assert a future reversal of present conditions. Their present sufferings (“to this very hour,” v. 11) place the apostles in the class of those to whom the beatitudes promise future relief (Mt 5:3–11; Lk 6:20–23); whereas the Corinthians’ image of themselves as “already” filled, rich, ruling (1 Cor 4:8), as wise, strong, and honored (1 Cor 4:10) places them paradoxically in the position of those whom the woes threaten with future undoing (Lk 6:24–26). They have lost sight of the fact that the reversal is predicted for the future.
* [4:14–17] My beloved children: the close of the argument is dominated by the tender metaphor of the father who not only gives his children life but also educates them. Once he has begotten them through his preaching, Paul continues to present the gospel to them existentially, by his life as well as by his word, and they are to learn, as children do, by imitating their parents (1 Cor 4:16). The reference to the rod in 1 Cor 4:21 belongs to the same image-complex. So does the image of the ways in 1 Cor 4:17: the ways that Paul teaches everywhere, “his ways in Christ Jesus,” mean a behavior pattern quite different from the human ways along which the Corinthians are walking (1 Cor 3:3). (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 145 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God.
* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses the Question about 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.
* [6:4] The bread of offering: see note on Mt 12:5–6. (Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Mike Cherney comments that life in a port city has a greater influence from the outside world. The culture is impacted by an awareness of different ways of thinking and different value systems. My experience suggested that there was a greater acceptance of diversity, but there was also a more stratified society as the result of how the wealth from trade and commerce was distributed. Such cities also develop districts that cater to men who have been away at sea for some time. I see Paul striking out at the cliquishness of elites and licentiousness that develops in this environment.
In looking for connections, I discovered that “pharisees” translates to “separated ones”. I find myself thinking of the elites of Corinth and I am reminded of a “black-tie event” for charity that I attended. I ask myself “How am I being called to use my gifts as a source of empowerment for those in need?” As my prayer today, I am excerpting (with the political overtones removed) another portion of the lyrics from the Epistle of a contemporary presentation of Bernstein’s Mass.
Dearly beloved,
As a person in a position of privilege and opportunity, I now realize that we have the power – and more importantly – the responsibility to act as both a sword and a shield for those persons facing oppression. (Cherney, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Withered hands - withered minds,” by Athanasius of Alexandria (295-373 AD).
"In the synagogue of the Jews was a man who had a withered hand. If he was withered in his hand, the ones who stood by were withered in their minds. And they were not looking at the crippled man nor were they expecting the miraculous deed of the one who was about to work. But before doing the work, the Savior ploughed up their minds with words. For knowing the evil of the mind and its bitter depth, he first softened them up in advance with words so as to tame the wildness of their understanding, asking: 'Is it permitted to do good on the sabbath or to do evil; to save a life or to destroy one?' For if he had said to them, 'Is it permitted to work?' immediately they would have said, 'You are speaking contrary to the law.'
"Then he told them what was intended by the law, for he spoke as the One who established the laws concerning the sabbath, adding, 'except this: that which will be done for the sake of a life.' Again if a person falls into a hole on a sabbath, Jews are permitted to pull the person out (Matthew 12:11). This not only applies to a person, but also an ox or a donkey. In this way the law agrees that things relating to preservation may be done, hence Jews prepare meals on the sabbath. Then he asked them about a point on which they could hardly disagree: 'Is it permitted to do good? (Matthew 3:4, Luke 6:9) But they did not even so much as say, 'Yes,' because by then they were not in a good temper." (excerpt from HOMILIES 28) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:6-15 comments that all followers of Jesus are called to live in humility, generosity, patience, and gentleness. Following Jesus doesn’t make you a star. More often than not, it makes you “poor in spirit” and “meek” (Matthew 5:3, 5). It makes you “merciful,” even toward those who show you no mercy (5:7). And it puts you with the “peacemakers,” people who minimize conflict, not inflame it (5:9).
This is the life of discipleship that Jesus has called you to. And despite the hardships, it’s the most fulfilling and joyful life you could ever know. That’s because it’s a life lived in growing intimacy with the Lord. The closer you get to him, the more he fills you with his grace, his peace, and his love.
“Jesus, help me to be more and more like you!” (Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:6-15, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that Paul exhorts the Corinthians to go beyond what is written as he counters the boasting of the Gnostics with his witness of suffering for the Gospel. The scrupulosity of the Pharisees is wrong and snacking is not the harvesting prohibited on the Sabbath. Friar Jude reminds us that the Lord of the Sabbath has the power of loosing and binding.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai (1940–2011) draws inspiration from the Scriptures for her work with the environment.
We need to rediscover our common experience with other creatures on Earth, and recognize that we have gone through an evolutionary process with them. They may not look like us, with their wings and scales and fur. We may not like some; others like mosquitoes we may detest. But they are part of the process of life beginning and being sustained on this planet. An apt analogy is Noah in Genesis [6:19–20], who found a pair of each species and two by two placed them into his ark, mosquitoes and reptiles among them. Noah was not commanded to pick only those that were useful to him; he sheltered them all. God recognized that they are part of us; they needed the chance to survive as well. And in giving them this chance, God gave us a chance too. Now we must give that chance back to ourselves, and replenish the earth. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate what it means to observe the Sabbath and we seek the guidance of the Spirit as we act to practice peace, empathy, and love to honour the Sabbath.
References
Cherney, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/090724.html
Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?
Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:6-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/09/07/1068420/
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/4?6
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?17
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/befriending-nature-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Son of Man Is Lord of the Sabbath. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=sep7
