Word to the Wise
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 - Wednesday in the 22th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Cor 3:1-9 and Luke 4:38-44]While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh, and walking according to the manner of humans? Whenever someone says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely humans? What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers thorough whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God's co=workers; you are God's field, God's building. [1 Corinthians]
St. Paul's affection and concern for the community at Corinth are reflected in the two epistles bearing their name. ( The second one may well be a joining of more than one letter.) He had spent one of his longest periods in one place at Corinth. Today's passage shows his fear that factionalism is causing division. The factionalism was taking the form of group loyalties to particular preachers, including Paul! This phenomenon can be experienced by any clergyman changing assignments! In a city large enough for more than one parish, whole groups of "fans" have been known to follow a pastor from one place to another!
St. Paul's words are directed also at those ministers who think that everything depends on THEM. i know it can be both humbling AND prideful to have someone say that a particular homily one has preached has turned someone's life around for the better. I have also seen the work I put into a particular community dismantled by my successor. But, St. Paul reminds me that it is all God's work, not mine. I'm just grateful to have the job. even in my "elderhood." AMEN