[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Epiphany 8 Epistle

[Joseph Parrish]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Fr HC Smith" <howard.smith at anglican.org.au>
> Date: February 24, 2011 6:07:41 PM CST
> To: "Propertalk" <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
> Subject: [propertalk.topic] Epiphany 8 Epistle
> Reply-To: propertalk.topic at ecunet.org
> 

> Friends,
> I'm a bit late this since I've been away visiting my daughter in Canberra, our National Capital, for a few days.  So here are a few Australian thoughts on the New Testament reading (1 Cor 3.18-4.5) set for 27th Feb.
> Howard
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> * Today in our 2nd reading we dip into Paul's letter to the troublesome Church at Corinth. Some Christians think that the early Church was perfect and that if only we could get back to the same situation we would be perfect too!
> + But that is not the case and we do well to remember Corinth:
> - in that city the Christian gospel was confronting many new and different situations.
> + Previously it was mainly Jewish people in the Holy Land who
> became Christians: and when they did they had the teaching of
> the Hebrew Scriptures to build on .
> + But now, in Corinth, we have people from all kinds of backgrounds;
> - they were different as far as their religion was concerned,
> their race, their behaviour, their social status, their
> education, their financial base, and so on;
> - and so they had many new and different ideas as to how
> they should live out the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
> + There was a great deal of ferment, a great deal of experiment,
> a wide variety of opinion, and much wild enthusiasm.
> + The apostle Paul was much committed to tending this flock,
> leading them to maturity in Christ, and trying to grapple with
> the new issues raised by this cosmopolitan church.
> - The problem was how to develop this positive variety with all
> its effervescing new life, but at the same time to uphold
> what we have later come to know as the catholic unity of the one Body of Christ;
> - how can that tension be maintained?
> + With all this tremendous variety and energy there is always the
> danger that people start to make comparisons, and then make
> judgements as to who and what is right, and who and what is wrong.
> - This seems to be what was happening at Corinth;
> - people were judging one another, people were deciding that
> their version of the faith was as good as, or better than, the
> next person's, or even they were right and others were wrong;
> - they were also forming themselves into party-groups:
> - some following Paul, some Peter, some Apollos and so on.
> + So one way in which Paul approaches the problem is set out in today's reading.
> - He underlines the God-given gift of leadership in the Church;
> - but he reminds them that it is just that: it is given by Christ
> and leaders must exercise their role in common with one another under Christ.
> - Leaders, as well as the members of the Church, must realise
> that we are all still imperfect : we are still striving to become like Christ,
> - and we should withhold our criticising judgement until the process is completed.
> + We all do well to remember that at that future time everyone
> will receive the praise, or the blame, they deserve - from God.
> - So Paul is suggesting that we should look towards that time,
> and not so much on what we ourselves prefer, like, enjoy in
> our natural state in the present time.
> - we may find it hard to see the good in one another right
> now, but things are not always going to be like they are now.
> + The upshot of this is that we cannot stay static: God has many
> truths we need to learn and understand:
> - truths about God, about Christ, about the Faith;
> - but also truths about ourselves so that we can grow Christ-like.
> + Paul is reminding us that God will disclose motives which are
> hidden often from others, and sometimes even from ourselves.
> - he encouraged the Corinthians to work to apply the Gospel in
> their new situation as compared to life in the Holy Land
> where it all originated, but nevertheless to remain true to what Jesus taught.
> + The same still holds true for us. Our world has different
> challenges: for example
> - Years ago if you were unhappy, or didn't know what to
> do with yourself - you'd go to church, start a revolution - or
> something.
> + Today if you're unhappy or can't figure it out, what do you do?
> What is the modern idea of salvation? Go shopping!
> + So we are called upon to interpret the gospel of Jesus to people who think like that:
> - people who think getting a religion is just like going shopping
> for disposable items: I'll go to this Church this month, this
> year, but then I'll look for a better one, one that gives me a
> greater thrill, a better return for my money, and so on.
> + Paul says : 'The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God...
> You belong to Christ',
> - that's where we can find real meaning, real purpose, not in
> the passing values of this planet, certainly not in a
> succession of religious leaders hoping that each one will give
> us a greater thrill than the last.
> + The best thing of all is that God will bring to light those hidden
> purposes of the heart, God will make clear those longings we
> don't understand in our selves, and bring them to fulfilment in Christ.
> 
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> The Rev'd Dr H.C. Smith
> Retired Anglican Priest
> Orange NSW
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> 
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