Word to the Wise
Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - Wednesday in the 22th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Cor 3:1-9 and Luke 4:38-44]For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's building...."
SEPTEMBER 3 ST. GREGORY THE GREAT [pope and doctor of the Church]
As I noted in yesterday's reflection, baptism is the event which should mark a transformation in the person that should give a whole new perspective on the life of faith. However, St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians demonstrates that the transformation may need some continual updating if it is going to be lasting! The Corinthians were not thinking with "the mind of Christ." The first problem he tackles is one that every pastor (and probably many pewfolks) knows about: factionalism. The ancient Christian version of "groupies" had developed. Both Paul and Apollos had "worked" in Corinth, and apparently some Corinthians liked Paul better than Apollos or vice versa. That attitude had the effect of dividing the community and meant that the message was not taking hold. The preacher is not more important than the gospel! Sadly, this lesson seems to require re-learning everywhere and in all generations.
As a pastor, I was well aware that not everyone in the community would be happy with me. I was always glad to have assistants in the ministry so that the gospel would not be blocked by whatever it was that made folks uncomfortable about me. At the same time, it was frustrating (even if flattering, sometimes) when people call the parish office and ask which priest would be celebrating which Mass! The gospel is not a matter of personalities! In my more idealistic moods, I think the larger response to this problem is to improve the quality of pulpit preaching across the board. Then, no matter who the celebrant is, the pewfolks will look forward to coming. In the end, poor preachers need to get help and good preachers need to remember that it is not about them! AMEN
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